Elys first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Elys has been for the last 6 years (from 2018 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Elys

French feminine form of the masculine name Ellis, meaning "benevolent" or "kind".

Popularity of Elys by gender

Based on the last 6 years of data, Elys is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elys.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 5
2018 0 5

The history of the first name Elys

The name Elys is believed to have originated from the Greek language, specifically derived from the word "helios," which means "sun." This connection suggests that the name may have been used to honor or pay tribute to the sun and its significance in ancient Greek mythology and culture.

In ancient Greece, the sun was revered as a powerful and life-giving force, often personified as the god Helios. The name Elys may have been given to children as a way to invoke the sun's warmth, light, and vitality. It is possible that the name was also associated with certain virtues or qualities attributed to the sun, such as strength, radiance, or vitality.

The earliest recorded use of the name Elys dates back to the 5th century BCE, when it appears in several ancient Greek texts and inscriptions. It is mentioned in Aristophanes' play "The Clouds," where it is used as a character's name. Additionally, the name is found in various Greek pottery and vase decorations from the Classical period, indicating its widespread use among the ancient Greeks.

Throughout history, the name Elys has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the earliest documented figures is Elys of Miletus, a Greek philosopher and mathematician who lived in the 5th century BCE. He is credited with contributing to the development of geometry and the study of proportions.

In the realm of literature, Elys of Argos was a renowned Greek poet and dramatist from the 3rd century BCE, known for his tragedies and satyr plays. His works, though now lost, were highly acclaimed during his time.

During the Byzantine era, Elys of Alexandria was a prominent Christian theologian and philosopher who lived in the 5th century CE. He played a crucial role in shaping early Christian thought and is remembered for his treatises on the nature of the Trinity and his defense of Christian orthodoxy.

In more recent times, Elys Grellet was a French-American minister and missionary who lived from 1753 to 1840. He was a prominent figure in the Society of Friends (Quakers) and traveled extensively, spreading his religious teachings and advocating for social reforms.

Another notable figure with the name Elys is Elys Boden, a British mathematician and computer scientist born in 1934. He made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and is recognized for his work on the development of expert systems and knowledge representation techniques.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have borne the name Elys throughout history, each leaving their mark in various fields and disciplines, reflecting the rich heritage and diverse backgrounds associated with this name.

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 Elys was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Elys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on April 29, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/elys-meaning-and-history/.

"Elys first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/elys-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 29 April, 2025

Elys first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/elys-meaning-and-history/.

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