Ella

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Ella

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
1. Ella comes from an Old Germanic name, Alia, meaning ”All” from “alja” or “Foreign” from “ali.”
-or-
2. Ella is an English diminutive for many female names containing the “ell” sound: Eleanor, Ellen, Helen, or occasionally even Elizabeth.

History:
Ella was common in England until the mid 14th century. The medieval name was revived in the 19th century. During the 20th century it has gradually declined but, because of its soft “ah” sound (like Kayla, Hannah, Anna, ) and “old-fashioned” feel, Ella is again climbing the charts.

Pronunciation: ell-ah.

Alternates: Ellie, Elle.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)
American poet.

Political Figures:
Ella Reeve Bloor (1862-1951)
American socialist and communist.
Ella Baker (1903-1986)
American civil rights activist.
Ella Grasso (1919-1981)
American governor of Connecticut. First female American governor to be elected.

Singers and Entertainers:
Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996)
American singer.
Ella Mae Morse (1924-1999)
American singer.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.101 % named Ella
0.006 % named Ellie

Popularity of Ella:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1850: 37th most popular.
1875: 12th most popular.
1900-1910: 55th most popular.
1910-1920: 77th most popular.
1920-1930: 99th most popular.
1930-1940: 132nd most popular.
1940-1950: 170th most popular.
1950-1960: 256th most popular.
1960-1970: 427th most popular.
1970-1980: 778th most popular.
1980-1990: 962nd most popular.
1990: 863rd most popular.
1991: 916th most popular.
1992: 891st most popular.
1993: 800th most popular.
1994: 682nd most popular.
1995: 684th most popular.
1996: 585th most popular.
1997: 493rd most popular.
1998: 424th most popular.
1999: 377th most popular.
2000: 268th most popular.
2001: 195th most popular.
2002: 92nd most popular.
2003: 44th most popular.

In Ireland...
1998: 94th most popular.
1999: 76th most popular.
2000: 65th most popular.
2001: 48th most popular.
2002: 28th most popular.
2003: 14th most popular.