Ellery is an uncommon and unique given name of American origin. It was created by the famous American mystery writer, Edmund Clerihew Bentley, as a pseudonym for his detective fiction stories in the early 20th century. The name "Ellery" is derived from the author's own last name, as he combined parts of his first and middle names to create this distinctive moniker.
The name Ellery has no specific meaning or associations beyond its literary origin. However, it has gained some popularity over time due to its unique sound and its connection to the world of detective fiction. The name Ellery is typically given to boys, but it can also be used as a unisex name.
In literature, Ellery Queen is the pen name used by two American mystery writers, Manfred B. Lee and his cousin Frederick Dannay, who collaborated together from the 1930s until the 1970s. The character of Ellery Queen, the detective in their stories, became very popular and helped to further popularize the given name Ellery.
Overall, Ellery is a distinctive and unique given name with an interesting literary history. Its American origin and connection to detective fiction make it a standout choice for parents looking for an unusual yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Ellery experienced a significant increase in popularity over time, with the number of births peaking at 256 in both 2014 and 2015. The most recent data shows a slight decrease from this peak, with 213 births recorded in 2021 and 200 births in 2022. However, it remains more popular than during the early decades when there were consistently fewer than ten births per year. Over the entire period from 1959 to 2023, a total of 4381 babies named Ellery were born.