The name is believed to be an English derivative of an old Norman female name, Alia, which is derived from the Norman element, ali, meaning “other.”
It has also been used as a diminutive form of names beginning with El and names ending in-ella.
In Medieval England, the name was rather common, but fell out of usage by the 14th-century and was then revived in the 19th-century.
Currently, she is the 19th most popular female name in the United States, (2008), the highest she ever ranked in U.S. naming history was 1880-1881, coming in as the 13th most popular female name.
The name was borne by Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996), a famous American jazz singer.
Ella’s popularity in other countries are as follows:
- # 6 (Australia, 2008)
- # 36 (Belgium, 2006)
- # 11 (Canada, B.C., 2008)
- # 12 (England/Wales, 2008)
- # 92 (Germany)
- # 12 (Ireland, 2008)
- # 143 (the Netherlands, 2008)
- # 5 (New Zealand, 2009)
- # 32 (Norway, 2008)
- # 47 (Scotland, 2008)
- # 4 (Sweden, 2008)
- # 3 (Tasmanian, 2009)
The diminutive offshoot of Ellie, is currently the 11th most popular female name in Scotland, (2008).
The name is used in Scandinavian countries, English speaking countries, French speaking countries and in the German speaking countries. In addition, it is also used in Estonia, Hungary and Latvia.
Designated name-days are: February 1st (France), February 10 (Estonia), February 13 (Hungary), February 19 (Sweden), March 7 (Latvia).