Ella Name Meaning, Origin and Pronunciation

Ella functions two ways: as a standalone name, some sources trace it to Spanish roots meaning “young girl,” and it also works as an established short form of Eleanor.

Meaning	young girl (as a standalone name); also functions as a short form of Eleanor, which carries its own separate meaning
Origin	Spanish (as a standalone name); Old French/Provençal (via Eleanor)
Pronunciation	EL-ah
Gender	Girl
Related forms	Eleanor, Ellie

Origin and history

Ella has two genuinely separate paths worth knowing. As its own given name, some naming references trace it to Spanish roots. It’s also widely used and historically recorded as a short form of Eleanor, which itself descends from Old French and Provençal roots. Because both paths lead to the same modern name, most naming sources present Ella as flexible rather than committing to one single etymology.

Is Ella a boy or girl name?

Ella is used almost exclusively as a girl’s name.

Names similar to Ella

• Eleanor (a name Ella is commonly shortened from)
• Ellie (a related, similarly short form)

Frequently asked questions

Is Ella short for Eleanor, or its own name?

Both. It’s historically used as a short form of Eleanor, and it also stands as its own complete given name with a separate cited Spanish-language root.

Why does Ella have more than one meaning listed?

Because it genuinely developed through two different paths, standalone Spanish-rooted use and shortened Eleanor use, that both converged into the same modern spelling.

Related reading

Parent hub: name meanings.