Celebrate National Ellen Day on January 5. No, it is not a special day dedicated to the life and work of the comedian and talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres; it’s a day that celebrates all people named Ellen. More importantly, the way you choose to celebrate the Ellen in your life will say a lot about how much you value them, so make it a great day filled with exciting activities and don’t forget the dancing.
History of National Ellen Day
Few names in the world become so synonymous with a famous figure that the first thing people think of upon hearing them is that particular person. One of these examples is Ellen. If you say that name to someone and ask them what the first thing or person they think of, chances are they will say American comedian, actress, and television personality, Ellen DeGeneres. But, we want to dig a little deeper and discover more about this iconic name and its meaning.
Ellen is an English girl’s name that means ‘torch’ or ‘shining light.’ Ellen has swung in and out of fashion for centuries, a medieval English form of Helen, often alternating with the parent name. Ellen was the more common name in medieval England until Helen overtook her after the Renaissance. In Edith Wharton’s novel “The Age of Innocence,” set at the end of the 19th century, one character wonders why another hasn’t changed her given name to something prettier, like Elaine. A statement few would make today. In popular culture, Ellen is the name of two First Ladies, Arthur and Wilson, and Scarlett O’Hara’s mother in “Gone with the Wind.”
Dame Ellen MacArthur, a solo long-distance yachtswoman, broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in February of 2005. Ellen was also the name of Constantine the Great’s mother, a devout Christian credited with discovering the True Cross. It was a popular name in the United Kingdom because of the legend, which has no historical basis that she was born there.
National Ellen Day timeline
“Archæologia” and “The Gentleman’s Magazine” illustrator Ellen Carter is born.
The title is “The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse.”
The premiere of Ellen DeGeneres’s talk show, “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” airs in the U.S.
Ellen Pao, a U.S. investor, becomes the interim C.E.O. of the website “Reddit.”
National Ellen Day FAQs
Who is replacing Ellen DeGeneres?
Kelly Clarkson, a singer, and talk show host, will replace Ellen DeGeneres on U.S. television, according to the network N.B.C. DeGeneres announced that her talk show would end in 2022 after 19 seasons.
What is the name Ellen short for?
Ellen is a female given name that is a short form of Elizabeth, Eleanor, Elena, and Helen. In 2004, Ellen was the 609th most popular name in the United States and the 17th in Sweden.
What does Ellen mean in old English?
In old English, Ellen is associated with zeal, strength, power, vigor, bravery, courage, fortitude, strife, and contention. In Proto-West Germanic, it’s ‘alljan,’ and in Proto-Germanic, it’s ‘aljan,’ which is associated with zeal, power, and courage.
National Ellen Day Activities
Host a pretend talk show
Inspired by the most well-known talk show and talk show host of our time, Ellen DeGeneres, host your own made-up talk show. You can make it fun by decorating your home like a television set and inviting friends over to have mock interviews as if they were celebrities. Make sure the cameras are rolling to record and post the videos to YouTube, so you and your friends can rewatch it and have some hilarious nights and some wine and delicious food.
Write a poem for a friend named Ellen
In honor of the American poet Ellen Bass, write a poem for a close friend or a partner that you want to impress. Make it even more special by writing it to a friend named Ellen, inspired by the words of a famous author named Ellen. If that isn’t meta, we don’t know what is.
Go boating
To commemorate the achievements of Dame Ellen MacArthur, a solo long-distance yachtswoman who broke the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2005, go boating with some friends on National Ellen Day. You don’t have to make it speedy, just take it easy and go and watch the sunset from a yacht.
5 Interesting Facts About Ellen DeGeneres
She’s hosted her show from bed
DeGeneres once hosted her talk show from her hospital while recovering from a torn ligament.
She came out on Oprah
DeGeneres came out on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” in April 1997; a massive platform.
She is always on time
She is known for her punctuality and professionalism.
She wanted to be in “Pulp Fiction”
DeGeneres auditioned for the role of Jody in Tarantino’s “Pulp Fiction” but was unsuccessful.
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient
DeGeneres was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor in 2016.
Why We Love National Ellen Day
Ellen’s energy inspires us
The name will always be associated with the famous Ellen DeGeneres, which means people will remember it for being cheerful, full of energy and life, and always funny. What better name association can Ellens ask for? There will also always be a funny clip when searching Ellen on YouTube, which is a bonus.
They are the light as their name suggests
Ellen means ‘torch’ or ‘shining light,’ which suggests that you simply can’t name a girl Ellen without giving her the air of light and happiness. We love how this name can conjure up those feelings of warmth and positivity, especially in today’s society, where we need every last bit of light to guide us through difficult times.
It is an easy and unforgettable name
One of our favorite things about the name Ellen is that it is short, easy to remember, and simply rolls off the tongue. It’s a name for a baby or even a quirky pet. Ellen is also an excellent choice for a word association game as there are many things you can associate with the name and those that have been named Ellen who are now famous or infamous.
National Ellen Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | January 5 | Sunday |
| 2026 | January 5 | Monday |
| 2027 | January 5 | Tuesday |
| 2028 | January 5 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | January 5 | Friday |
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