Ellamae runs together the double name Ella Mae, a combination with deep roots in the American South. Ella is a Norman name from the Germanic element alja, "other", though today it is also heard as a short form of Eleanor or Isabella, while Mae is a form of May, "the month of May", or of Mary. Ellamae ranked number 15781 in 2000, rose as vintage double names came back, peaked at number 2293 in 2021 and ranks number 2660 in 2025 with 65 girls.