Ellen is a feminine given name of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the ancient name Aeltfrith, which was composed of two Old English elements: æld "old" and frith "peace". Therefore, Ellen can be interpreted to mean "noble and peaceful".
The name Ellen has been in use for centuries in Ireland and Scotland. According to some sources, it is believed that Saint Ellen was a 7th-century Irish princess who became a nun and founded a monastery. Although the historical existence of this saint is not proven, her legend has contributed to the popularity of the name Ellen among Christians.
In literature, the name Ellen appears in various works throughout history. For example, in the Middle Ages, there was an English ballad called "Ellen a Green" that told the story of a young woman who was falsely accused of witchcraft. In more recent times, the Irish author William Butler Yeats wrote a poem titled "The Ballad of Oisín and Niamh," which features characters named Ellen and her brother Oisín.
Today, Ellen remains a popular given name for girls in English-speaking countries. It has also inspired many variations and derivatives, such as Ella, Elinor, Eleanor, and Helen. Despite its long history and rich cultural heritage, the meaning of Ellen continues to resonate with parents who choose this classic yet timeless name for their daughters.
"Despite peaking twice at 11 births each in 1920 and 1922, the name Elleen has seen a steady decline since the 1950s with only five years recording more than five births between 1954 and 2020. The most recent peak was in 2015 with seven births."