What does Ellis mean?
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
What does Eirian mean?
Eirian means “bright” or “beautiful” in Welsh.
Ellis vs Eirian
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.
| Ellis | Eirian | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Benevolent; from Elijah | Bright, beautiful |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EL-iss | AY-ree-an |
| Syllables | 2 | 3 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 2024 |
| Peak year | 2025 (1,417) | 2024 (14) |
| In 2025 | 1,417 | 7 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Steady |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ellis
Eirian
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ellis | Eirian |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,039 | 21 |
| 2010s | 7,098 | 0 |
| 2000s | 2,355 | 0 |
| 1990s | 1,796 | 0 |
| 1980s | 1,514 | 0 |
| 1970s | 1,664 | 0 |
| 1960s | 2,596 | 0 |
| 1950s | 3,970 | 0 |
| 1940s | 4,617 | 0 |
| 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 Eirian 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 Ellis and Eirian?
Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin), while Eirian means Bright, beautiful (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Ellis or Eirian?
In US records, Ellis first appears in 1880 and Eirian in 2024, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.