Ellsa

The name Ellsa is a variant spelling of the name Elsa, which has its origins in the Germanic languages. The root of the name can be traced back to the Old High German name Alhaidis or Alhaid, which is composed of the elements "alth" meaning "old" and "haid" meaning "kind" or "sort."

In the medieval period, the name Alhaidis evolved into various forms across different Germanic languages and cultures. In Old Norse, it became Ælisther, while in Old English, it took the form Ælfthryth. These early forms eventually gave rise to the more modern spellings of Elsa and Ellsa.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elsa can be found in the 9th century, when an Elsa of Kysyl was mentioned in the Kyrgyz epic poem "Manas." This suggests that the name had spread to Central Asia and was in use among various Turkic peoples during that time.

In the Middle Ages, the name Elsa was particularly popular in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. One notable historical figure was Elsa of Gamenitz (c. 1265 - c. 1335), a German noblewoman and landowner from Saxony. Another was Elsa of Brabant (c. 1305 - 1353), a daughter of the Duke of Brabant and wife of the Count of Loos.

During the Renaissance, the name Elsa continued to be used across Europe. One famous bearer was Elsa von der Tann (1573 - 1636), a German noblewoman and landowner from Franconia. Another was Elsa Beskow (1644 - 1716), a Swedish writer and translator who is considered one of the pioneers of children's literature in her country.

In more recent history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ellsa or its variant spellings. These include Elsa Leale (1874 - 1942), an Italian actress and film producer; Elsa Schiaparelli (1890 - 1973), an influential Italian fashion designer; and Elsa Raven (1929 - 2020), an American character actress known for her roles in films such as "Back to the Future" and "The Moderns."