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Ellison

♂ Boy

Pronounced ehl-LEES-ohn /ɛl.ˈlis.oʊn/Medium

Meaning: From the surname Ellison 'son of Ellis (Elias/Elijah)', from Hebrew Eliyahu 'my God is Yahweh'Medium

In 30 seconds: Ellison is an English surname-name meaning 'son of Ellis', where Ellis traces back to Elijah and the Hebrew Eliyahu, 'my God is Yahweh'.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the surname Ellison 'son of Ellis (Elias/Elijah)', from Hebrew Eliyahu 'my God is Yahweh'
U.S. rank (2024)#2058 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births73 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,865

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718812024

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

History & Origin

It formed as a patronymic surname meaning the son of Ellis, itself a medieval form of Elias or Elijah. Through that chain the name reaches back to the Hebrew Eliyahu, 'my God is Yahweh', so a biblical root sits quietly behind a very English-sounding name.

Used today for boys and girls, it appears in respellings such as Elison, Ellyson and Ellisyn. Astronaut Ellison Onizuka, the first Asian American in space, is among its bearers.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Ellison is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 70%
Behind the Name - Ellison — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

ElisonElysonEllysonElisynEllisyn

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Ellison Onizuka (1946–1986)
    American astronaut, first Asian American in space; died in the Challenger disaster.

If you like Ellison…

Elijah— The biblical name at the root of the Ellis behind Ellison.
Elias— The form of Elijah that gave rise to Ellis and then Ellison.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ellison mean?

Ellison is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Ellison?

It's commonly said ehl-LEES-ohn /ɛl.ˈlis.oʊn/.

Is Ellison a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Ellison is used as a boy name.

How popular is Ellison?

In 2024, Ellison ranked #2058 in the U.S. for boys, with 73 births recorded.