Where does “Ellen” come from?
Ellen is an English diminutive of Helen, from French Hélène, Latin Helena, and Ancient Greek Ἑλένη, of uncertain ultimate origin.
Ellen (English): Zeal
Definitions
- Zeal
Ancestry of “Ellen”, step by step
Ellen traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English Helen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | Helen | Any of various papilionid butterflies of the... |
| 2 | French | Hélène | — |
| 3 | Latin | Helena | Helen |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἑλένη | torch, firebrand; corposant, St. Elmo's fire;... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | swel- | to smolder; burn; scorch; beam, board, frame,... |
via Middle English ellen
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middle English | ellen | Alternative form of elne |
| 2 | Old English | ellen | strength, courage, bravery; elder tree; elder... |
| 3 | Proto-West Germanic | alljan | zeal |
| 4 | Proto-Germanic | aljaną | zeal, eagerness; strength, courage; to cause to... |
| 5 | Proto-Indo-European | h₁elh₂- | to drive, move, go |