Ellen
Medieval English variant of Helen, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē); also used as a variant of Eleanor or a feminine counterpart to Elliot.
Every Ellen since 1880 — 276,029 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ellen
Ellen is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,062 in 2025 with 230 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 276,029 American babies have been named Ellen. Its peak came in 1951, when 5,956 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ellen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ellen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 230 | #1,062 | — | — |
| 2024 | 246 | #1,026 | — | — |
| 2023 | 239 | #1,052 | — | — |
| 2022 | 255 | #1,018 | — | — |
| 2021 | 289 | #921 | — | — |
| 2020 | 336 | #809 | — | — |
| 2019 | 347 | #797 | — | — |
| 2018 | 356 | #765 | — | — |
| 2017 | 385 | #735 | — | — |
| 2016 | 450 | #653 | — | — |
| 2015 | 406 | #701 | — | — |
| 2014 | 435 | #657 | — | — |
| 2013 | 403 | #700 | — | — |
| 2012 | 374 | #743 | — | — |
| 2011 | 401 | #696 | — | — |
| 2010 | 430 | #674 | — | — |
| 2009 | 416 | #699 | — | — |
| 2008 | 459 | #669 | — | — |
| 2007 | 514 | #583 | — | — |
| 2006 | 545 | #544 | — | — |
| 2005 | 517 | #555 | — | — |
| 2004 | 595 | #495 | — | — |
| 2003 | 668 | #449 | — | — |
| 2002 | 590 | #476 | — | — |
| 2001 | 609 | #455 | — | — |
| 2000 | 632 | #449 | — | — |
| 1995 | 1,311 | #214 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1,378 | #210 | 7 | #6,635 |
| 1985 | 854 | #290 | — | — |
| 1980 | 988 | #260 | — | — |
| 1975 | 1,021 | #238 | — | — |
| 1970 | 1,758 | #188 | — | — |
| 1965 | 3,251 | #117 | 10 | #2,668 |
| 1960 | 5,136 | #94 | 13 | #2,352 |
| 1955 | 5,471 | #81 | 9 | #2,829 |
| 1950 | 5,567 | #66 | 11 | #2,355 |
| 1945 | 4,189 | #61 | 9 | #2,448 |
| 1940 | 3,318 | #74 | 12 | #2,111 |
| 1935 | 2,434 | #95 | 11 | #2,289 |
| 1930 | 2,522 | #100 | 12 | #2,338 |
| 1925 | 2,794 | #101 | 14 | #2,228 |
| 1920 | 3,076 | #92 | 7 | #3,590 |
| 1915 | 2,581 | #88 | 6 | #3,524 |
| 1910 | 1,038 | #88 | — | — |
| 1905 | 845 | #81 | — | — |
| 1900 | 922 | #82 | — | — |
| 1895 | 746 | #75 | 5 | #1,129 |
| 1890 | 659 | #70 | — | — |
| 1885 | 555 | #64 | 7 | #785 |
| 1880 | 411 | #61 | — | — |
Famous people named Ellen
- Ellen G. White Writer · 1827–1915
- Ellen Burstyn Actor · b. 1932
- Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Politician · b. 1938
- Ellen DeGeneres Comedian · b. 1958
- Ellen Key Writer · 1849–1926
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ellen mean?
Medieval English variant of Helen, from Ancient Greek Ἑλένη (Helénē); also used as a variant of Eleanor or a feminine counterpart to Elliot.
How popular is the name Ellen in 2025?
Ellen ranked #1,062 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 230 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ellen?
276,029 babies have been named Ellen in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ellen most popular?
Ellen peaked in 1951, when 5,956 newborns received the name.
Is Ellen a boy or girl name?
Ellen is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ellen rising or falling?
Ellen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ellen?
Well-known people named Ellen include Ellen G. White (writer), Ellen Burstyn (actor), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (politician).