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.
Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun.