Meaning: Its source is an Ancient Germanic expression meaning "Hill dweller."

Nicknames: Nellie

Alternative Spellings: Elender

Narrative: The meaning and derivation of Ellender are not certain. They assume it originated as a surname. However, in genealogical tables of American families, the nickname Nellie is associated with bearers of this name. This suggests that it is an alternate form of Eleanor, which also is assocated with Nellie.