Ella is most often used as a feminine given name, but also occurs as a surname, especially in Australia. In

Greek mythology A major branch of classical mythology, Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of Ancient Greek folklore. These stories concern the Cosmogony, origin and Cosmology#Metaphysical co ...

, Ella (

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

: Ἕλλα) was the daughter of

Athamas In Greek mythology, Athamas (; grc, Ἀθάμας, Athámas) was a Boeotian king.Apollodorus1.9.1/ref> Family Athamas was formerly a Thessalian prince and the son of King Aeolus of Aeolia and Enarete, daughter of Deimachus. He was the bro ...

and

Nephele In Greek mythology, Nephele (; Ancient Greek: Νεφέλη from νέφος ''nephos'' "cloud"; Latinized to ''Nubes'') was a cloud nymph who figured prominently in the story of Phrixus and Helle. Mythology Greek myth has it that Nephele is t ...

. The name may be a cognate with Hellas (Greek: Ἑλλάς), the Greek name for

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders with ...

, which said to have been originally the name of the region round

Dodona Dodona (; Doric Greek: Δωδώνα, ''Dōdṓnā'', Ionic and Attic Greek: Δωδώνη, ''Dōdṓnē'') in Epirus in northwestern Greece was the oldest Hellenic oracle, possibly dating to the second millennium BCE according to Herodotus. Th ...

. Another source indicates the name is a

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norm ...

version of the Germanic short name ''Alia'', which was short for a variety of German names with the element ''ali''-, meaning "other." It is also a common short name for names starting with ''El''-, such as

Eleanor Eleanor () is a feminine given name, originally from an Old French adaptation of the Old Provençal name ''Aliénor''. It is the name of a number of women of royalty and nobility in western Europe during the High Middle Ages. The name was introd ...

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

, Elle, Ellen, Elaine, Ellie, or Eloise. The

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

word Ella (אלה) has two meanings: 1) A tree indigenous to the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Province), East Thrace (Europ ...

, of the pistachio family (''

Pistacia terebinthus ''Pistacia terebinthus'' also called the terebinth and the turpentine tree, is a deciduous tree species of the genus ''Pistacia'', native to the Mediterranean region from the western regions of Morocco and Portugal to Greece and western and s ...

''). As written in

Isaiah Isaiah ( or ; he, , ''Yəšaʿyāhū'', "God is Salvation"), also known as Isaias, was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the ...

6-13: "And though a tenth remains in the land, it will again be laid waste. But as the terebinth and oak leave stumps when they are cut down, so the holy seed will be the stump in the land." 2) Ella means "goddess" in

modern Hebrew Modern Hebrew ( he, עברית חדשה, ''ʿivrít ḥadašá ', , '' lit.'' "Modern Hebrew" or "New Hebrew"), also known as Israeli Hebrew or Israeli, and generally referred to by speakers simply as Hebrew ( ), is the standard form of the He ...

. Ella became popular again during the

Victorian era In the history of the United Kingdom and the British Empire, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria's reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardia ...

in English-speaking countries, and has again been popular in the late 20th and early 21st centuries for baby girls born in

Anglophone Speakers of English are also known as Anglophones, and the countries where English is natively spoken by the majority of the population are termed the ''Anglosphere''. Over two billion people speak English , making English the largest language ...

countries. The name Ella is very popular in County Kerry, Ireland as well as in

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

.(Israel Hayom): Popular names by cities
/ref>

People with the given name

Ella Anderson Ella Aiko Anderson (born March 26, 2005) is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress, starring as Piper Hart on the Nickelodeon television series ''Henry Danger'', and is also known for playing the role of Rachel Rawlings i ...

(born 2005), American child actress * Ella Hoag Brockway Avann (1853–1899), American educator, and writer *

Ella Baker Ella Josephine Baker (December 13, 1903 – December 13, 1986) was an African-American civil rights and human rights activist. She was a largely behind-the-scenes organizer whose career spanned more than five decades. In New York City and t ...

(1903–1986), African American civil rights and human rights activist * Ella Maria Ballou (1852-1937), American stenographer, reporter, essayist, and educator *

Ella Jay Basco Ella Jay Basco (born September 17, 2006) is an American actress, singer and songwriter best known for her work in ''Birds of Prey'' (2020). In 2020, she released her EP, Middle School. In February 2022, she released her single Eye to Eye for he ...

, American actress * Ella A. Bigelow (1849–1917), American author and clubwoman *

Ella Bully-Cummings Ella M. Bully-Cummings (born 1958) is an American police officer who served as the chief of the Detroit Police Department from 2003 to 2008. Early life and education Bully-Cummings was born in Japan, the second-oldest of eight children of an A ...

(born 1958), first female police chief of Detroit *

Ella Chen Ella Chen Chia-hwa (; born 18 June 1981) is a Taiwanese singer, actress, and television host. She is a member of the Taiwanese girl group S.H.E. Career On 8 August 2000, HIM International Music held a 'Universal 2000 Talent and Beauty Girl Co ...

(born 1981), member of the Taiwanese girl group S.H.E. * Ella Maria Dietz Clymer (1847-1920), American actress and poet * Ella Mcmonagle (born 2007) * Ella Corfield (nee Caird), British pharmacist *

Ella D. Crawford Ella D. Crawford ( Donelson; November 16, 1852 – January 20, 1932) was an American Temperance movement in the United States, temperance movement Community organizing, community organizer affiliated with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C ...

(1852-1932), American temperance movement organizer *

Ella Cruz Gabriela Annjane Umali Cruz (; born August 17, 1996) and is professionally known as Ella Cruz, is a Filipino actress, product endorser, host, commercial & promotional model, and dancer. She played the title character in the 2012 fantasy dra ...

(born 1996), Filipina actress, product endorser, host, commercial & promotional model, and dancer *

Ella Cara Deloria Ella Cara Deloria (January 31, 1889 – February 12, 1971), also called ''Aŋpétu Wašté Wiŋ'' (Beautiful Day Woman), was a Yankton Dakota (Sioux) educator, anthropologist, ethnographer, linguist, and novelist. She recorded Native American ...

(1888–1971), educator, anthropologist, ethnographer, linguist, and novelist *

Ella Hepworth Dixon Ella Hepworth Dixon ( pen name, Margaret Wynman; 1857–1932) was an English author and editor. Her best-known work is the New Woman novel ''The Story of a Modern Woman'', which has been reprinted in the 21st century. Early life and education D ...

(1857–1932), English writer, novelist, and editor *

Ella Loraine Dorsey Ella Loraine Dorsey (pen name, E. L. Dorsey; March 2, 1853 – November 4, 1935) was an American author, journalist, and translator. She contributed articles to magazines and wrote many stories, among them ''Midshipman Bob'', ''Jet, the War Mule'' ...

(1853–1935), American author, journalist, and translator * Ella Hamilton Durley (1852–1922), American educator, newspaper editor, and journalist *

Ella Emhoff Ella Rose Emhoff (born May 29, 1999) is an American model, artist, and fashion designer. As the daughter of U.S. Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff and stepdaughter of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, she is a member of the Second Family of the Uni ...

(born 1999), American model, artist, designer, and U.S. Second Daughter * Ella Endlich (born 1984), German singer *

Ella Eronen Ella Eronen (29 January 1900 — 9 October 1987) was a Finnish actor and poetic reciter, and one of the country's leading actresses of the 20th century, especially of the 1930s through to 1950s. She was variously known as ''Diiva'' ('The Diva'), ...

(1900-1987), Finnish actress *

Ella Eyre Ella McMahon (born 1 April 1994), known professionally as Ella Eyre, is a British singer and songwriter. She is known for her collaborations with Rudimental on their UK number-one single " Waiting All Night" (2013), which won the 2014 Brit Awa ...

(born 1994), English singer *

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

(1917–1996), American jazz singer * Ella M. George (1850-1938), American teacher, lecturer, social reformer *

Ella German Lee Harvey Oswald (October 18, 1939 – November 24, 1963) was a U.S. Marine veteran who assassinated John F. Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, on November 22, 1963. Oswald was placed in juvenile detention at the age of 12 fo ...

(born 1937), friend of Lee Harvey Oswald * Ella T. Grasso (1919–1981), American politician and first woman elected governor of Connecticut * Ella Havelka (born 1989), ballet dancer and first Indigenous person to join the Australian Ballet * Ella Gifft, (born 1882), American businesswoman and suffragist *

Ella Guru Ella Guru (born May 24, 1966) is an American painter and musician living in Hastings, East Sussex, England. She was a member of Mambo Taxi and the Voodoo Queens. In 1999, she became one of the founding members of the Stuckist art movement. E ...

(born 1966), American painter and musician *

Ella Henderson Gabriella Michelle Henderson (born 12 January 1996), known as Ella Henderson, is an English singer. She competed in the ninth series of ''The X Factor UK'' in 2012, finishing in sixth place despite being a strong favourite to win. She signed ...

(born 1996), British singer *

Ella Hunt Ella Hunt (born 29 April 1998) is an English actress and singer. She was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA for her performance in the film '' Anna and the Apocalypse'' (2017). On television, she is known for her roles as Ellie Marsden in the ITV c ...

(born 1998), British actress * Ella Jenkins (born 1924), American folk singer *

Ella Junnila Ella Juulia Junnila (born 6 December 1998) is a Finland, Finnish high jumper, who represents Tampereen Pyrintö. She has previously represented Janakkalan Jana and Vammalan seudun Voima. She represented Finland in 2018 European Athletics Champions ...

(born 1998), Finnish high jumper * Ella Eaton Kellogg (1853–1920), American philanthropist and pioneer in dietetics *

Ella Koon Ella Koon Yun-na (born 9 July 1979) is a former Hong Kong Cantopop singer and semi-retired actress. Biography Ella Koon was born in the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, and is of Hakka descent. She was raised in Hong Kong and attended high sc ...

(born 1979), Hong Kong singer * Ella Logan (1913–1969), Scottish actress and singer *

Ella Mai Ella Mai Howell (born 3 November 1994) is an English singer-songwriter. Her musical career began at London's British and Irish Modern Music Institute in 2014, during which time she auditioned as part of a trio on the 11th season of ''The X Fa ...

(born 1994), British singer *

Ella Maillart Ella Maillart (or Ella K. Maillart; 20 February 1903, Geneva – 27 March 1997, Chandolin) was a Swiss adventurer, travel writer and photographer, as well as a sportswoman. Early life Ella Maillart was the second child, born to a wealthy fur ...

(1903–1997), Swiss adventurer, travel writer, photographer, and sportswoman * Ella M. S. Marble (1850-1929), American journalist, educator, activist, and physician *

Ella Mae Morse Ella Mae Morse (September 12, 1924 – October 16, 1999) was an American singer of popular music whose 1940s and 1950s recordings mixing jazz, blues, and country styles influenced the development of rock and roll. Her 1942 recording of "Cow-Cow ...

(1924–1999), popular American singer from the 1940s *

Ella Pamfilova Ella Aleksandrovna Pamfilova (; born 12 September 1953) is a Russian politician, former deputy of the State Duma, candidate for president in 2000 and former chairman (2004 - 2010) of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights. O ...

(born 1953), Russian politician *

Ella Purnell Ella Summer Purnell (born 17 September 1996) is an English actress best known for her roles as Jackie in the Showtime drama series ''Yellowjackets,'' Jinx in the Netflix animated television series ''Arcane'', and Gwyn in the Paramount+/Nickelod ...

(born 1996), English actress *

Ella Raines Ella Wallace Raines (August 6, 1920 – May 30, 1988) was an American film and television actress. Early life Raines was born Ella Wallace Raines on August 6, 1920, in Fall City, Washington. She studied drama at the University of Washingto ...

(1920–1988), American actress *

Ella Giles Ruddy Ella Giles Ruddy (, Giles; February 2, 1851 – June 26, 1917) was an American author and editor. She published a large number of essays on social science topics. Ruddy was the author of ''Bachelor Ben'', ''Out From the Shadows'', ''Maiden Rachel' ...

(1851–1917), American author, editor * Ella Smith (born 1983), English actress * Ella G. Smith (born 2005), American artist, photographer, and author *

Ella Shields Ella Shields (27 September 1879 – 5 August 1952) was a music hall singer and male-impersonator. Her famous signature song, " Burlington Bertie from Bow", a parody of Vesta Tilley's " Burlington Bertie", written by her manager and first husba ...

(1879–1952), British music hall singer and male impersonator *

Ella Yelich-O'Connor Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor (born 7 November 1996), known professionally as Lorde ( ), is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. Taking inspiration from aristocracy for her stage name, she is known for her unconventional musical styles and ...

(born 1996), Kiwi musician, known by her stage name “Lorde” *

Ella Young Ella Young (26 December 1867 – 23 July 1956) was an Irish poet and Celtic mythologist active in the Gaelic and Celtic Revival literary movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. Born in Ireland, Young was an author of poetry and c ...

(1867–1956), Irish poet and Celtic mythologist *

Ella Wheeler Wilcox Ella Wheeler Wilcox (November 5, 1850October 30, 1919) was an American author and poet. Her works include the collection '' Poems of Passion'' and the poem "Solitude", which contains the lines "Laugh, and the world laughs with you; weep, and you ...

(1850-1919), American poet and author * Ella B. Ensor Wilson (1838-1913), American social reformer and writer

People with the surname

Gary Ella Gary Albert Ella (born 23 July 1960) is an Australian former rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two c ...

(born 1960), Australian former rugby union footballer *

Glen Ella Glen Joseph Ella (born 5 June 1959) is a former Australian rugby union player and coach. Ella played as a Fullback for Randwick, Manly and New South Wales. Ella also represented Australia in the 1980s, however, did not play at the first Rugby W ...

(born 1959), Australian former rugby union footballer * Krishna Ella (born 1969), Indian scientist and entrepreneur *

Mark Ella Mark Gordon Ella, AM (born 5 June 1959) is an indigenous Australian former rugby union footballer. Ella played at flyhalf/five-eighth and was capped by the Wallabies 25 times, captaining Australia on 10 occasions. Ella made his debut tour wit ...

(born 1959), Australian former rugby union footballer * Norman Ella (1910–1987), Australian rowing coxswain * Steve Ella (born 1960), Australian former rugby league footballer

Fictional characters

* Ella, the heroine from ''Cinderella (2015)'' *Ella, the main character from ''

Ella Enchanted ''Ella Enchanted'' is a Newbery HonorTotal Drama: Pahkitew Island'' * Ella Lopez, a character from ''

Lucifer Lucifer is one of various figures in folklore associated with the planet Venus. The entity's name was subsequently absorbed into Christianity as a name for the devil. Modern scholarship generally translates the term in the relevant Bible passa ...

'' * Elinor "Ella" Love, a character in

Motown Magic ''Motown Magic'' is an animated children's television series, created by Josh Wakely, and produced for Netflix. The series follows Ben, described by Netflix as "a wide-eyed 8-year-old with a big heart and an amazing imagination", who uses a magic ...

* Ella, a character in

PAW Patrol ''PAW Patrol'' is a Canadian computer-animated children's television series, children's television series created by Keith Chapman. It is produced by Spin Master, Spin Master Entertainment, with animation provided by Guru Studio. In Canada, the ...

* Ella Montgomery, a character from ''

Pretty Little Liars ''Pretty Little Liars'' is an American mystery teen drama television series based on the novel series of the same name written by Sara Shepard. Developed by I. Marlene King, the series was broadcast on Freeform between June 8, 2010, and June ...

Notes

{{surname English feminine given names

People with the given name

People with the surname

Fictional characters

See also

Notes