What does Ellis mean?
From the Welsh Elis, a form of Elijah, “the Lord is my God,” and linked to “benevolent.”
What does Emrys mean?
Emrys is the Welsh form of Ambrose, from the Greek for “immortal.”
Ellis vs Emrys
Which is more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Emrys today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
| Ellis | Emrys | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Benevolent; from Elijah | Immortal |
| Origin | Welsh | Welsh |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | EL-iss | EM-ris |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1997 |
| Peak year | 2025 (1,417) | 2024 (185) |
| In 2025 | 1,417 | 157 |
| Trend | Near its peak | Rising |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ellis
Emrys
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ellis | Emrys |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 7,039 | 741 |
| 2010s | 7,098 | 542 |
| 2000s | 2,355 | 22 |
| 1990s | 1,796 | 5 |
| 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 Emrys more popular?
Ellis is more popular than Emrys today: about 1,417 US babies were given the name Ellis in 2025, compared with 157 named Emrys.
What is the difference between Ellis and Emrys?
Ellis means Benevolent; from Elijah (Welsh origin), while Emrys means Immortal (Welsh origin).
Which name is older, Ellis or Emrys?
In US records, Ellis first appears in 1880 and Emrys in 1997, so Ellis has the longer recorded history.