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