Ellen
/ˈɛl.ən/noun
A feminine given name, originally a medieval English form of Helen.
Did you know?Ellen ultimately comes from Greek Helena, the same name behind Helen of Troy, whose beauty was said to launch a war that reshaped legend.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Helénē
“A personal name associated in later tradition with brightness, torchlight, or the famous Helen of Troy.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Helena
“The Latin form of the Greek name, carried into the Roman world.”
Old French
Old French
Helene
“A common medieval French form of the name.”
Middle English
English
Elene / Ellen
“English forms of the female given name, influenced by French and popular speech.”
Modern English
English
Ellen
“A feminine given name.”