Ellison
Ellison is a girl name of English origin meaning “Son of Ellis”, pronounced EL-ih-sun. It ranked #1067 in the United States in 2025, given to 228 babies, and peaked at #838 in 2019. Common nicknames: Ellie, Ella, Elle.
How popular is Ellison in the United States?
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
What does Ellison mean, and where does it come from?
Ellison is a patronymic surname — son of Ellis, which is itself a medieval English form of Elias and so of Elijah. It carries two strong American associations: Ralph Ellison, whose Invisible Man is among the century's essential novels, and Ellison Onizuka, the first Asian American in space, who died aboard Challenger. As a given name it has gone to girls since the 2010s, reaching the top thousand in 2013, because it contains Ellie and Ella and sounds like a longer, sturdier way of arriving at either.
Variations & Nicknames
Variations
Nicknames
Famous People Named Ellison
- Ralph Ellison — American novelist, author of Invisible Man
- Ellison Onizuka — American astronaut, the first Asian American to reach space
Similar Names to Ellison
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Sibling Name Ideas for Ellison
Looking for names that pair well with Ellison? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Ellison mean?
Ellison is a girl name of English origin meaning "Son of Ellis." Ellison is a patronymic surname — son of Ellis, which is itself a medieval English form of Elias and so of Elijah. It carries two strong American associations: Ralph Ellison, whose Invisible Man is among the century's essential novels, and Ellison Onizuka, the first Asian American in space, who died aboard Challenger.
How do you pronounce Ellison?
Ellison is pronounced EL-ih-sun. Common variations include Elison, Ellyson, Allison.
Is Ellison a girl name?
Yes, Ellison is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Ellie, Ella, Elle, Sonny.