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Ellis

“Benevolent, kind” — Welsh/English origin

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

Ellis has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #154 (1899) · 50,403 babies named Ellis all-time · 1 in 1,200 boys born in 2025.

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:

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

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

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