Meaning & origin
How it developed
In French usage, Zellie is a diminutive of Zéline.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1897. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Zellie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 271
- 5 boys · 266 girls
- Most popular year
- 1918
- 17 babies
- 2025
- 9
- #10,908 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −2%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 9 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 10,908 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 2.0% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 175 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Zellie’s family of names
In French usage, Zellie is a diminutive of Zéline. In French usage, Zellie has a related form in Zélie.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Zellie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Elzie
“from the nobleman's estate”
19% boys · 81% girls
Zelma
“having divine protection”
>99% girls
Elvie
“a friend of the elves” · “an elf warrior”
>99% girls
Essie
“resembling a star” · “myrtle”
>99% girls
Nettie
“a woman graced with God's favor”
>99% girls
Effie
“one who speaks well” · “fruitful”
>99% girls
Zera
“a sower of seeds”
>99% girls
Bessie
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls