Ella is a popular choice in the UK, ranked #46 in 2025. There's a good chance they'll share their name with at least one classmate throughout school.
Origin & Meaning
Hebrew/Germanic — Goddess; all; fairy maiden
⭐
UK Rank 2025
#46
US Rank #29
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About the Name Ella
Ella ranked #46 in 2025, down from its peak of #6 in 2015 — still a familiar name, but past its high point. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996. It has spent 30 of the last 30 years inside the UK top 100 — a mark of enduring mainstream appeal.
Etymologically, Ella comes from Hebrew/Germanic, where it means "Goddess; all; fairy maiden". Names with strong etymological stories tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles.
Ella is a very popular name in the UK — yet a class of 28 is small enough that your child will very likely be the only Ella on the register.
It ranks similarly in the US at #29, suggesting broad transatlantic appeal.
⭐ Famous People Named Ella
Captain Ella — Ella Waweya, known widely as "Captain Ella" (Hebrew: קפטן אלה, Arabic: كابتن إيلا), is an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Ella (Malaysian singer) — Nor Zila binti Aminuddin (Jawi: نور زيلا بنت أمين الدين ; IPA: Malay pronunciation: [ˈnʊrˈzila ˈbinti ˈaminudɪn]; born 31 July 1966), known by her stage name Ella, is a Malaysian singer, actress and entrepreneur.
Ella Bright — Ella Bright is an American-born British actress.
Biographical summaries are shortened from Wikipedia and are used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence; those summaries remain available under that same licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Ella
Unlikely. With around 932 UK babies named Ella per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Ella in their class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Ella has been fairly steady, ranked #46 in 2025 against #16 in 2020. Its best recorded position was #6 in 2015.
The name Ella has Hebrew/Germanic origins and means "Goddess; all; fairy maiden". Names with clear etymological roots tend to age well — they carry weight beyond fashion cycles and give children a story to tell about their name.
Notable people named Ella include: Captain Ella, Ella (Malaysian singer) and Ella Bright. Short summaries for each appear below.
Ella ranks #30 in the US (2024), making it comfortably inside the American top 100. It's well-liked on both sides of the Atlantic.
932
UK babies named Ella (2025)
~0.0
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.5
In a school of 600
↓ 30 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Ella
Almost certainly the only Ella in the class
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UK Popularity (1996–2025)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2025)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Ella
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Ella Waweya, known widely as "Captain Ella" (Hebrew: קפטן אלה, Arabic: كابتن إيلا), is an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer who holds the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Nor Zila binti Aminuddin (Jawi: نور زيلا بنت أمين الدين ; IPA: Malay pronunciation: [ˈnʊrˈzila ˈbinti ˈaminudɪn]; born 31 July 1966), known by her stage name Ella, is a Malaysian singer, actress and entrepreneur.
Ella Rosa Giovianna Oliva Grasso was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party who served as the 83rd governor of Connecticut from January 8, 1975, to December 31, 1980, after rejecting past offers of candidacies for Senate and governor.