Ella in Chinese
Ella in Chinese is 艾拉 (Ài Lā).
- Origin
- Germanic
- Meaning
- all, completely; light
Ella is a name of Germanic origin, generally understood to mean "all, completely; light". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s.
3 ways to write Ella
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
艾拉
Ài Lā
The standard transliteration of Ella: 艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 艾 (ài) carries "el", 拉 (lā) carries "la". The tone contour is 4-1 (falling, high level).
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 艾
ài
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
mugwort; beautiful (classical)
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
明月
Míng Yuè
Inspired by "all, completely; light": 明 (míng, "bright, clear") + 月 (yuè, "moon"), expressing light and brightness.
Why these characters?
Because Ella is linked to "light", the name leads with 明 (bright, clear); 月 (moon) gives it a natural given-name finish.
Character breakdown
12 strokes total (simplified)- 明
míng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
bright, clear
- 月
yuè
Tone 4 · 4 strokes (simplified)
moon
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
艾明
Ài Míng
艾 (ài, "mugwort; beautiful (classical)") + 明 (míng, "bright, clear"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 艾 (ài), the same opening character as the transliteration 艾拉, for the "el" sound, and replaces the rest with 明 ("bright, clear") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
14 strokes total (simplified)- 艾
ài
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
mugwort; beautiful (classical)
- 明
míng
Tone 2 · 8 strokes (simplified)
bright, clear
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Ella
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Ella ranked 19 among names recorded for girls, with 37,920 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 296,792 girls named Ella since 1880, with the high point in 2010 (9,872 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #834 to #16 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2010
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 296,792
More About Ella in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Ella offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Ella, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Kristen in Chinese, Lindsey in Chinese, and Kelsey in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Kathryn in Chinese, Destiny in Chinese, and Alicia in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Ella, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Ella to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Ella translated into Chinese?
艾拉 (Ài Lā), identical in simplified and traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 艾拉 have?
14 strokes in simplified form; per character: 艾 6, 拉 8.
Is there a Chinese name for Ella with real meaning?
Try 明月 (Míng Yuè): bright, clear + moon, inspired by "all, completely; light". For something that still sounds like Ella, 艾明 (Ài Míng) is a middle ground.