What does Eirian mean?
Eirian means “bright” or “beautiful” in Welsh.
What does Ellis mean?
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
Eirian vs Ellis
Which is more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Eirian today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
| Eirian | Ellis | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Bright, beautiful | Benevolent; from Elijah |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | AY-ree-an | EL-iss |
| Syllables | 3 | 2 |
| First appeared | 2024 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 2024 (14) | 2025 (1,417) |
| In 2025 | 7 | 1,417 |
| Trend | Steady | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Eirian
Ellis
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Eirian | Ellis |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 21 | 7,039 |
| 2010s | 0 | 7,098 |
| 2000s | 0 | 2,355 |
| 1990s | 0 | 1,796 |
| 1980s | 0 | 1,514 |
| 1970s | 0 | 1,664 |
| 1960s | 0 | 2,596 |
| 1950s | 0 | 3,970 |
| 1940s | 0 | 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 Eirian or Ellis more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Eirian today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 7 named Eirian.
What is the difference between Eirian and Ellis?
Eirian means Bright, beautiful (Welsh origin), while Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Eirian or Ellis?
In US records, Eirian first appears in 2024 and Ellis in 1880, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.