[name]Ellen[/name] is a family name, but not one I’ve really ever seriously considered using. I’ve always worried that [name]Ellen[/name] is too dated/middle aged. But what do you think if we used the nn [name]Nell[/name] and/or [name]Ellie[/name]? I know [name]Ella[/name] is super popular, but what about [name]Ellie[/name]? [name]How[/name] many young girls do you know who are named [name]Ellie[/name]?
Thanks for any feedback you can give! 
We live in Maryland. We have a 2 yo and 1 yo and they go to a daycare with at least 6 other Ellies, it is te most common little girl name in our circle besides [name]Lilly[/name] (and derivations). The Ellies we know are derived from [name]Eleanor[/name], [name]Eliana[/name], [name]Ellia[/name], and [name]Ella[/name].
No Ellens or Nells though.
I have a young cousin named [name]Ellie[/name] (full name [name]Elizabeth[/name]). She got her nickname from my grandmother, who was called [name]Ellie[/name] her whole life (full name [name]Elenore[/name]).
I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Nell[/name]. Also, I don’t get a dated feel from [name]Ellen[/name]. I immediately think of [name]Ellen[/name] [name]Page[/name], who I really like.
I love love love [name]Ellen[/name]! It is sweet, sassy, and a bit unexpected while still being on-trend.
I know an [name]Elena[/name] (3 or 4 yr old) who goes by [name]Ellie[/name]. I prefer [name]Ellen[/name] or [name]Nell[/name].
I think [name]Ellie[/name] is more popular than [name]Ella[/name].
Around here [name]Ellie[/name] seems to be the name of half the 5 year olds I meet, just as [name]Ella[/name] seemed to be the name of all the 5 year olds five years ago when I had a five year old. And I find both bland.
But [name]Ellen[/name] I love. We really wanted to name our third daughter [name]Ellen[/name], but our second daughter has [name]Elena[/name] as a MN to honor an old friend–so there was no way. [name]Ellen[/name] is so out it’s almost back in. [name]Nell[/name] I also like, and [name]Helen[/name] too.
I love [name]Nell[/name] or [name]Nellie[/name] as a nn for [name]Ellen[/name].
I really like [name]Ellen[/name]! Where I am, I have only met 1 [name]Ellie[/name] and that was many years ago. [name]Ella[/name] on the other hand is much more common here. That being said I have always liked the nn [name]Elle[/name] for [name]Ellen[/name].
I like [name]Eleanor[/name] nn [name]Ellie[/name]
I actually prefer [name]Helen[/name] or [name]Elena[/name] or [name]Helena[/name]. However, [name]Ellen[/name] is lovely and I don’t think it’s outdated. I do think the [name]Ellie[/name] nn is very common, but I happen to like it. I would use the [name]Leni[/name] nn with [name]Helen[/name]/[name]Helena[/name]/[name]Elena[/name].
[name]Edit[/name]: I [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Elinor[/name], which I think works better for the [name]Ellie[/name] nn… Would still use [name]Leni[/name] though.