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.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Elleen has seen a varied level of popularity over the years in the United States. Between 1915 and 2020, there were a total of 306 births recorded with the name Elleen.
The name's popularity peaked during the early to mid-1900s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1956 at 10. This was followed by another peak in 1966 with 9 births. However, starting from the late 1960s, the popularity of the name Elleen began to decline significantly.
In recent years, there has been a slight resurgence in the use of the name Elleen, with 7 births recorded in 2015 and 5 births each in 2017 and 2019. This suggests that while it may not be as popular as it once was, the name Elleen is still being chosen for newborns today.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate how trends in baby names can change over time, with some names gaining popularity while others fall out of favor. Despite its ups and downs, the name Elleen has maintained a consistent presence throughout the past century in the United States.