It is of Greek origin, and the meaning of Ellen is sun ray. Originally a variant of Helen, but now more closely associated with Eleanor. First used as an independent name in the 16th century. Nell is a pet form. English actress Ellen Terry; American actresses Ellyn Burstyn, Ellen Barkin, Ellen DeGeneres.
The days are longer in the summer because our section of the Earth is tilted towards the sun during the summer. Because the tilt of the Earth puts us faces the sun during summer, thus giving us more light. This effect is more and more noticeable the closer to the poles that you go.
There are two solstices, summer and winter, and two equinoxes, spring and fall, each year. The longest day of the year is the summer solstice, on the 21st or 22nd of June in the Northern Hemisphere. In this case, day means the time between sunrise and sunset. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. At each equinox, day and night are of equal length.