Ellis

“From a surname — from Elias (Elijah); or Welsh Elisedd, from elus 'benevolent, kind'” — Welsh/English origin

Boy's name · #243 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Ellis was #155 in 1899, slipped to #928 by 2001, and has climbed back to #243 today. Roughly 50,000 boys have been named Ellis since 1880. It is also an American family name — about 189,000 people carried it as a surname in the 2010 census. About 74% of babies named Ellis in recent years have been boys.

Around the world: #92 in England & Wales (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 47 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Ellises

Ellis Marsalis Jr. — American jazz pianist and educator (1934–2020)
Ellis Clarke — last Governor-General and first President of Trinidad and Tobago (1917-2010)
Ellis Ferreira — South African tennis player (born 1970)
Ellis R. Dungan — American, film director (1909-2001)
Ellis Yarnal Berry — American politician (1902-1999)

In stories & tradition

Ellis Carver — The Wire
Ellis — Left 4 Dead 2 · Left 4 Dead: The Sacrifice
Ellis Taylor — The West Wing

What Ellises become

Among 360 notable people named Ellis:

Sports figures appear 1.35× more often than among typical names — e.g. Ellis Ferreira, South African tennis player (born 1970).

Similar names: Ellison · Grady · Eli · Leland · Davis · Hollis

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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