Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *aljaną ‎(“zeal, strength, power, courage”), from Proto-Indo-European *al- ‎(“to burn”).

Cognate with Icelandic elja ‎(“endurance, energy”), Old Saxon ellian ‎(“strength, courage, bravery”) Old English ellen ‎(“zeal, strength, power, vigor, valor, courage, fortitude, strife, contention”), Middle Low German ellen ‎(“strength, power, courage, vigor, bravery”) and Middle High German ellen ‎(“strength, manhood”).