The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Ellen!

Comments and insights on the name Ellen: | Edit

I've found that it's one of the few names that can be spelled with two letters. Those letters are: L N

Makes it very useful when I use www.Twitter.com!

My mother's name was estELLE. My daughter's middle name is michELLE and my granddaughter's first name is gabriELLE. So, it's a trend, I guess.

I was named after my deceased paternal grandmother, Eva, who died in childbirth. My daughter is named after the Beatles song. Gabrielle was supposed to have the Biblical name "GABRIEL" but when she turned out to be a girl, they added the French ending.

I love the elegance in the name Ellen. It is also my mother's middle name. Her first is Elizabeth, and that is my middle, so I would like to carry the tradition, however my favorite girls name ends in -TH, and with Elizabeth it sounds funny. I think Ellen is a beautiful alternative.

Personal experiences with the name Ellen: | Edit

I am going to be 70 years old in May 2009.

When I was in grade school, the kids developed a little derogatory ditty which gave me the shudders.

Here lies Ellen
She's been dead a week
And now she's smellin'

What can I say? Kids are cruel sometimes. All in all, I have loved my name.

My name is Ellen. The first thing a lot of peopple to say to me is: "Your name's Ellen? Are you a lesbian like Ellen DeGeneres?" When I switched to a new school, it was the first thing i heard from atleast 10 kids. I have nothing against her, but it gets really annoying that that is what people always think.

Nicknames for Ellen: | Edit

Ellie, Elle, Nell, Nelle, Ella

Meanings and history of the name Ellen: | Edit

Share what you know!

Famous real-life people named Ellen: | Edit

Ellen Glasgow, American writer
Ellen Gould White, nineteenth century American religious leader
Ellen Herndon Arthur, First Lady and wife of Chester Alan Arthur
Ellen Axson Wilson, First Lady and wife of Woodrow Wilson
Ellen Raskin, author
Ellen Burstyn, actress
Ellen Barkin, actress
Ellen Foley, actress
Ellen Green, actress
Dame Ellen McArthur, yachtswoman
Ellen DeGeneres, actress and talk show host
Ellen Pompeo, actress
Ellen Page, actress
Ellen Muth, actress
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia and Nobel Prize Laureate.

Ellen in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Countess Ellen Olenska", Edith Wharton's memorable character from "The Age of Innocence"
Ellen Dolan, the love interest in Will Eisner's Spirit (comic strip)
Ellen O'Hara, Scarlett's mother in "Gone with the Wind"