Ella

Ella comes from Old High German Alia or the Germanic element ali meaning "other" or "all." It was also used as a short form of Eleanor and other names beginning with El-. Over time, Ella became a name of pure sound and feeling — two light syllables that manage to be both delicate and strong. The name carries a musical quality that feels earned; the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald turned it into a standard.

Ella holds the #101 spot among US pet names, with nearly 980 companions sharing it. The name has enormous cross-generational appeal — it works for a tiny kitten and a dignified older companion with equal grace. Ella tends to suit companions who are gentle and expressive, those with a natural musicality to their movements and an easy charm that draws people in. It has been one of the top names for human babies in the US for over a decade, and that cultural presence has fed naturally into pet naming.