Find out how popular the first name Elly has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elly by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Elly is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Elly being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 113 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elly.

The history of the first name Elly

The name Elly is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning "My God is Yahweh." This name has its roots in the ancient Near East and can be traced back to biblical times. It is believed to have originated around the 8th century BC.

The name Eliyahu, from which Elly is derived, appears several times in the Hebrew Bible, most notably as the name of the prophet Elijah. This significant figure played a crucial role in the religious history of ancient Israel and is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The earliest recorded examples of the name Elly can be found in medieval European records, particularly in Germany and the Netherlands. It was often used as a diminutive or nickname for names like Eleanor or Elizabeth.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Elly. One of the earliest was Elly Bacheracht (1570-1639), a German Baroque composer and organist who served as the court Kapellmeister in Darmstadt.

Another prominent figure was Elly Ameling (1933-2021), a renowned Dutch soprano who was particularly celebrated for her interpretations of lieder and oratorio works. She performed extensively throughout Europe and the United States during her illustrious career.

Elly Ney (1882-1968) was a Dutch pianist and composer who gained recognition for her compositions and performances in the early 20th century. She was also a dedicated teacher and influenced many aspiring musicians.

In the field of literature, Elly van Nahuys (1890-1957) was a Dutch writer and poet who published several collections of poetry and novels, some of which explored themes of feminism and social issues.

Elly Griffiths (born 1963) is a contemporary British crime novelist best known for her Ruth Galloway mystery series, which has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated readership.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Elly, a name with rich cultural and linguistic origins that have endured across centuries and regions.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Elly was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Elly, please contact us.

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