Ellen

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Ellen

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
Ellen is the English form of Helen, a Greek name which means “Light,” or “the Bright One.”

History:
Ellen, spelled Elen, Elena, or Elene, first appeared in England in 1213. It became the most common form of Helen in English speaking world until Helen was revived in the 17th century. Ellen was considered the vernaculur, common form of the name, while Helen was considered the educated, refined verison. It was revived somewhat in the late 19th century, especially in the United States, but has never since surpassed Helen.
Please see Helen for more information.

Pronunciation: ell-enn.

Diminutives:
English: Ella, Ellie, Lena, Nell, Nellie, Nelly.

Alternates: Ellyn.

See also: Ella, Ellie, Nellie (Nell, Nelly).

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Ellen Louise Chandler Moulton (1835-1908)
American writer and critic.
Ellen Glasgow (1873-1945)
American novelist.

Educators, Scholars, and Social Workers:
Ellen Russell Emerson (1837-1907)
American ethnologist.
Ellen Key (1849-1926)
Swedish feminist.
Ellen Spencer Mussey (1850-1936)
American lawyer and educator.
Ellen Fitz Pendleton (1864-1936)
American educator. President of Wellesley College.

Miscellaneous:
Ellen Gates Starr (1859-1940)
American social reformer. Co-founder of Hull House.
Ellen Churchill Semple (1863-1932)
American geographer.

Religious Figures:
Ellen Gould Harmon White (1827-1915)
Co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Scientists:
Ellen Swallow Richards (1842-1911)
American chemist.

Singers and Entertainers:
Ellen Kean (1805-1880)
English actress.
Ellen Beach Yaw (1868-1947)
American opera singer. Also called Lark Ellen.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.173 % named Ellen.

Popularity of Ellen:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 16th most popular.
1850: 4th most popular.
1875: 15th most popular.
1900-1910: 78th most popular.
1910-1920: 86th most popular.
1920-1930: 101st most popular.
1930-1940: 101st most popular.
1940-1950: 70th most popular.
1950-1960: 79th most popular.
1960-1970: 117th most popular.
1970-1980: 252nd most popular.
1980-1990: 264th most popular.
1990: 219th most popular.
1991: 212th most popular.
1992: 219th most popular.
1993: 223rd most popular.
1994: 226th most popular.
1995: 222nd most popular.
1996: 248th most popular.
1997: 344th most popular.
1998: 430th most popular.
1999: 416th most popular.
2000: 448th most popular.
2001: 458th most popular.
2002: 474th most popular.
2003: 446th most popular.

In Ireland...
1998: 26th most popular.
1999: 24th most popular.
2000: 24th most popular.
2001: 24th most popular.
2002: 23rd most popular.
2003: 25th most popular.