Ella
Every Ella since 1880 — 352,214 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Ella
Ella is a top-50 name for girls in the United States, ranked #29 in 2025 with 5,831 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 352,214 American babies have been named Ella. Its peak came in 2010, when 9,898 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Ella stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Ella year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5,831 | #29 | — | — |
| 2024 | 5,715 | #30 | — | — |
| 2023 | 5,670 | #32 | 5 | #12,776 |
| 2022 | 6,291 | #25 | — | — |
| 2021 | 7,041 | #16 | 9 | #8,367 |
| 2020 | 7,372 | #15 | — | — |
| 2019 | 8,131 | #13 | — | — |
| 2018 | 8,127 | #15 | 10 | #7,763 |
| 2017 | 8,084 | #16 | 6 | #11,163 |
| 2016 | 7,940 | #17 | 5 | #12,769 |
| 2015 | 7,918 | #18 | — | — |
| 2014 | 8,570 | #17 | 7 | #9,949 |
| 2013 | 8,461 | #15 | 9 | #8,308 |
| 2012 | 9,210 | #12 | 13 | #6,418 |
| 2011 | 9,597 | #12 | 7 | #9,942 |
| 2010 | 9,884 | #13 | 14 | #6,138 |
| 2009 | 9,659 | #15 | 12 | #6,922 |
| 2008 | 9,364 | #19 | 10 | #7,863 |
| 2007 | 9,554 | #21 | 16 | #5,502 |
| 2006 | 9,213 | #21 | 14 | #5,869 |
| 2005 | 9,072 | #23 | 12 | #6,347 |
| 2004 | 8,252 | #29 | 27 | #3,484 |
| 2003 | 5,909 | #44 | 9 | #7,427 |
| 2002 | 3,567 | #89 | — | — |
| 2001 | 1,722 | #190 | — | — |
| 2000 | 1,232 | #264 | — | — |
| 1995 | 310 | #687 | — | — |
| 1990 | 237 | #828 | — | — |
| 1985 | 147 | #1,026 | — | — |
| 1980 | 174 | #881 | — | — |
| 1975 | 182 | #776 | — | — |
| 1970 | 323 | #564 | — | — |
| 1965 | 479 | #429 | 6 | #3,649 |
| 1960 | 746 | #352 | 6 | #3,777 |
| 1955 | 1,125 | #244 | 5 | #4,021 |
| 1950 | 1,379 | #198 | 5 | #3,838 |
| 1945 | 1,473 | #158 | 8 | #2,620 |
| 1940 | 1,671 | #146 | 11 | #2,222 |
| 1935 | 1,901 | #122 | 21 | #1,506 |
| 1930 | 2,404 | #107 | 19 | #1,710 |
| 1925 | 3,006 | #93 | 15 | #2,118 |
| 1920 | 3,232 | #88 | 12 | #2,499 |
| 1915 | 2,954 | #75 | 8 | #2,894 |
| 1910 | 1,587 | #62 | 8 | #1,235 |
| 1905 | 1,438 | #52 | 10 | #802 |
| 1900 | 1,911 | #42 | 12 | #754 |
| 1895 | 1,692 | #35 | — | — |
| 1890 | 1,758 | #23 | — | — |
| 1885 | 1,395 | #19 | 6 | #865 |
| 1880 | 1,156 | #13 | — | — |
Famous people named Ella
- Ella Fitzgerald Singer · 1917–1996
- Ella Raines Actor · 1920–1988
- Ella Baker Social activist · 1903–1986
- Ella Chen Actor · b. 1981
- Ella Henderson Singer · b. 1996
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Ella in 2025?
Ella ranked #29 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 5,831 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Ella?
352,214 babies have been named Ella in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Ella most popular?
Ella peaked in 2010, when 9,898 newborns received the name.
Is Ella a boy or girl name?
Ella is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Ella rising or falling?
Ella is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Ella?
Well-known people named Ella include Ella Fitzgerald (singer), Ella Raines (actor), Ella Baker (social activist).