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.
The first day of winter (the winter solstice) is the shortest day of the year and the first day of summer (the summer solstice) is the longest day of the year. In the United States, there are only about 9 hours of daylight on the first day of winter and about 14 hours of daylight on the first day of summer. During the summer months, the further north you go, the arc of solar travel between sunrise and sunset lengthens and the amount of daylight increases.