Ellin

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Ellin

Pronounced EL-in /ˈɛl.ɪn/Medium

Meaning: Ellin is a variant of Ellen (and a cousin of Eileen), all going back to Greek Helene, often read as 'torch, light' or 'bright one'. The trim -in spelling gives the old name a slightly fresh, modern look.Low

In 30 seconds: Ellin is a variant of Ellen — from Greek Helene, 'torch, light' — in a trim spelling (said 'EL-in').

💕 Browse more names

Made for Ellin

Ellin

Custom knit blankets, embroidered with her name.

See Ellin blankets

Amazon affiliate link

Affiliate link

🍼

Essentials for baby

Baby care from Dr. Talbot’s

Bottles, diapering, bath and nasal care — 23 picks.

Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link

Shop baby essentials

Origin LowGreek, English

MeaningEllin is a variant of Ellen (and a cousin of Eileen), all going back to Greek Helene, often read as 'torch, light' or 'bright one'. The trim -in spelling gives the old name a slightly fresh, modern look.

U.S. rank (2023)#15864 ↗ Rising

2023 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1948

Total births (all-time)≈ 579

🌸

Essentials for mom

What she’ll actually want in week one

Peri-bottle, nursing pads, postpartum ice packs — 29 picks from Dr. Talbot’s.

Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link

Shop mom essentials

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ellin is a form of Ellen, from Greek Helene, 'torch' or 'light' — the same root behind Helen and Eileen. The -in ending is a lighter American styling of a name that has been in English use for centuries.

It saw quiet use, peaking faintly around 1948 and lingering in small numbers since. It was never common — only a few dozen girls a year at most.

Did you know? Songwriter Irving Berlin's wife, Ellin Mackay Berlin, a writer in her own right, carried this exact spelling into the twentieth century's cultural record.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Ellin — variant of Ellen; Greek Helene 'torch/light'; Ellin Berlin

Variations

EllenElinEllyn

Nicknames

NellEllie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ellin…

Ellen— the standard name Ellin varies

Eileen— a fellow Helen-family girls' name

Ellyn— a close sister spelling

Evelyn— a like soft vintage -yn/-in name

Explore names like Ellin

By themevintage greek variant

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ellin mean?

Ellin is a variant of Ellen/Eileen, ultimately from Greek Helene meaning 'torch, light'.

How do you pronounce Ellin?

It's said EL-in /ˈɛl.ɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ellin a boy or girl name?

Ellin is used as a girl's name, a variant of Ellen.

How popular is Ellin?

Ellin has always been rare in the U.S., a vintage form of Ellen most seen among earlier generations.