What does Adeline mean?
A French elaboration of Germanic adal, “noble.”
What does Ella mean?
From a Germanic root meaning “all” or “other,” and also read in Norman use as “fairy maiden.”
Adeline vs Ella
Which is more popular?
Ella is more popular than Adeline today: about 5,831 US babies were given the name Ella in 2025, compared with 3,864 named Adeline.
| Adeline | Ella | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Noble | All; fairy maiden |
| Origin | Germanic | Germanic |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | AD-uh-line | EL-uh |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2016 (4,120) | 2010 (9,884) |
| In 2025 | 3,864 | 5,831 |
| Trend | Rising | Declining |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Adeline
Ella
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Adeline | Ella |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 19,006 | 37,920 |
| 2010s | 23,383 | 85,922 |
| 2000s | 5,719 | 67,544 |
| 1990s | 1,180 | 3,897 |
| 1980s | 493 | 1,576 |
| 1970s | 348 | 2,096 |
| 1960s | 532 | 5,176 |
| 1950s | 905 | 11,038 |
| 1940s | 1,619 | 15,977 |
| 1930s | 3,450 | 19,962 |
| 1920s | 9,917 | 29,521 |
| 1910s | 8,985 | 24,913 |
| 1900s | 2,646 | 14,763 |
| 1890s | 1,697 | 17,072 |
| 1880s | 932 | 13,936 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Adeline or Ella more popular?
Ella is more popular than Adeline today: about 5,831 US babies were given the name Ella in 2025, compared with 3,864 named Adeline.
What is the difference between Adeline and Ella?
Adeline means Noble (Germanic origin), while Ella means All; fairy maiden (Germanic origin).
Which name is older, Adeline or Ella?
In US records, Adeline first appears in 1880 and Ella in 1880, so Adeline has the longer recorded history.