What does Bryn mean?
Bryn means “hill” in Welsh.
What does Ellis mean?
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
Bryn vs Ellis
Which is more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Bryn today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
| Bryn | Ellis | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Hill | Benevolent; from Elijah |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | BRIN | EL-iss |
| Syllables | 1 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1947 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1990 (45) | 2025 (1,417) |
| In 2025 | 12 | 1,417 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Bryn
Ellis
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Bryn | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 83 | 7,039 |
| 2010s | 153 | 7,098 |
| 2000s | 162 | 2,355 |
| 1990s | 261 | 1,796 |
| 1980s | 295 | 1,514 |
| 1970s | 181 | 1,664 |
| 1960s | 132 | 2,596 |
| 1950s | 54 | 3,970 |
| 1940s | 8 | 4,617 |
| 1930s | 0 | 4,482 |
| 1920s | 0 | 6,125 |
| 1910s | 0 | 4,433 |
| 1900s | 0 | 1,100 |
| 1890s | 0 | 886 |
| 1880s | 0 | 728 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Bryn or Ellis more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Bryn today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 12 named Bryn.
What is the difference between Bryn and Ellis?
Bryn means Hill (Welsh origin), while Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Bryn or Ellis?
In US records, Bryn first appears in 1947 and Ellis in 1880, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.