Eli: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, and More

Fact: In many cultures, the name Eli is associated with concepts of height and ascension.

Eli Overview

Meaning

High, elevated, ascended, uplifted

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew word “עֵלִי” (‘Eli)

Religion

Christianity, Judaism

Pronunciation

/ˈiːlaɪ/

Popularity

Eli has been often ranked in the top 100 names for boys in the US since 2008.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

3 letters

Numerology

8 (Practical, Ambitious, Materialistic)

Name Styles

Traditional, Short, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Wisdom, leadership, and spiritual insight

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Eli has strong biblical roots, named after a priest and judge in the Books of Samuel. It’s widely used in Jewish and Christian cultures.

Name Day

May 20th

Eli Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Ely, Elijah, Elias, Elliot, Eliezer, Eliah, Elihu, Elimelech, Elisha, Elia

Common Nicknames

E, Lee, Lio, Eli-Beli, Ellie

Diminutives

Elito, Elly, Elicus, Lil’Eli, Elikin

Famous People

Eli Manning
(American Football Player)
Eli Whitney
(American Inventor)
Eli Wallach
(American Actor)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

Eli Vance
("Half-Life" Video Game Series)
Eli Gold
("The Good Wife" TV Series)
"The Book of Eli"
(Movie)

Places

Eli community
(Kentucky, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Eli?

The name Eli generally means “ascended”, and is often interpreted to mean “high”, “uplifted” or “elevated.” In a biblical context, it is commonly associated with Eli, the high priest and judge in the Books of Samuel.

What Is the Origin of The Name Eli?

Eli is a name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew word “עֵלִי” (‘Eli), meaning “ascended”. The name has significant biblical connections and has been used widely in Jewish and Christian cultures.

Eli Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Eli in the U.S. over the Years

United States	#642021	#692022	#802023
Top 3 Rankings	#432012	#432013	#492014

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Eli

Year	Name Ranking	Number of Births	Birth Rate (%)
2023	80 (-11 from 2022)	4081 (-616 from 2022)	0.22287
2022	69 (-5 from 2021)	4697 (-206 from 2021)	0.25078
2021	64 (-4 from 2020)	4903 (-371 from 2020)	0.26169
2020	60 (+2 from 2019)	5274 (-254 from 2019)	0.28513
2019	62 (-4 from 2018)	5528 (-555 from 2018)	0.28765
2018	58 (-4 from 2017)	6083 (-553 from 2017)	0.31295
2017	54 (-4 from 2016)	6636 (-491 from 2016)	0.33530
2016	50 (+3 from 2015)	7127 (-29 from 2015)	0.35184
2015	53 (-4 from 2014)	7156 (-350 from 2014)	0.35002
2014	49 (-6 from 2013)	7506 (-440 from 2013)	0.36629
2013	43 No change from 2012	7946 (-129 from 2012)	0.39323
2012	43 (+15 from 2011)	8075 (+857 from 2011)	0.39794
2011	58 (+7 from 2010)	7218 (+648 from 2010)	0.35532
2010	65 (+25 from 2009)	6570 (+1654 from 2009)	0.31980
2009	90 (+9 from 2008)	4916 (+397 from 2008)	0.23179
2008	99 (+31 from 2007)	4519 (+1271 from 2007)	0.20725
2007	130 (+6 from 2006)	3248 (+256 from 2006)	0.14663
2006	136 (+16 from 2005)	2992 (+300 from 2005)	0.13647
2005	152 (+4 from 2004)	2692 (+146 from 2004)	0.12654
2004	156 (+34 from 2003)	2546 (+556 from 2003)	0.12047
2003	190 (+4 from 2002)	1990 (+39 from 2002)	0.09471
2002	194 (+19 from 2001)	1951 (+308 from 2001)	0.09440
2001	213 (+15 from 2000)	1643 (+149 from 2000)	0.07943
2000	228 (+48 from 1999)	1494 (+426 from 1999)	0.07154
1999	276 (+7 from 1998)	1068 (+53 from 1998)	0.05238
1998	283 (+26 from 1997)	1015 (+149 from 1997)	0.05006
1997	309 (-11 from 1996)	866 (-24 from 1996)	0.04335
1996	298 (+8 from 1995)	890 (+28 from 1995)	0.04442
1995	306 (-4 from 1994)	862 (-30 from 1994)	0.04286
1994	302 (+7 from 1993)	892 (+15 from 1993)	0.04376
1993	309 (+31 from 1992)	877 (+169 from 1992)	0.04246
1992	340 (+1 from 1991)	708 (-3 from 1991)	0.03373
1991	341 (+18 from 1990)	711 (+44 from 1990)	0.03354
1990	359 (+3 from 1989)	667 (+43 from 1989)	0.03099
1989	362 (+10 from 1988)	624 (+81 from 1988)	0.02977
1988	372 (-19 from 1987)	543 (-7 from 1987)	0.02712
1987	353 (-13 from 1986)	550 (-13 from 1986)	0.02820
1986	340 (+2 from 1985)	563 (+6 from 1985)	0.02930
1985	342 (+17 from 1984)	557 (+50 from 1984)	0.02894
1984	359 (-10 from 1983)	507 (-12 from 1983)	0.02702
1983	349 (+8 from 1982)	519 (+16 from 1982)	0.02785
1982	357 (-20 from 1981)	503 (-47 from 1981)	0.02665
1981	337 (+5 from 1980)	550 (+12 from 1980)	0.02953
1980	342 (+11 from 1979)	538 (+40 from 1979)	0.02901
1979	353 (+12 from 1978)	498 (+57 from 1978)	0.02780
1978	365 (-4 from 1977)	441 (-35 from 1977)	0.02581
1977	361 (+36 from 1976)	476 (+95 from 1976)	0.02785
1976	397 (+28 from 1975)	381 (+43 from 1975)	0.02334
1975	425 (-24 from 1974)	338 (-35 from 1974)	0.02083
1974	401 (+24 from 1973)	373 (+35 from 1973)	0.02288
1973	425 (+59 from 1972)	338 (+74 from 1972)	0.02095
1972	484 (+7 from 1971)	264 (-4 from 1971)	0.01577
1971	491 (+39 from 1970)	268 (+36 from 1970)	0.01474
1970	530 (+167 from 1969)	232 (+103 from 1969)	0.01218
1969	697 (-55 from 1968)	129 (-10 from 1968)	0.00705
1968	642 (+23 from 1967)	139 (+13 from 1967)	0.00783
1967	665 (+18 from 1966)	126 (+9 from 1966)	0.00708
1966	683 (+5 from 1965)	117 No change from 1965	0.00644
1965	688 (+16 from 1964)	117 (-4 from 1964)	0.00618
1964	704 (-43 from 1963)	121 (-18 from 1963)	0.00597
1963	661 (-7 from 1962)	139 (-1 from 1962)	0.00673
1962	654 (-5 from 1961)	140 (-6 from 1961)	0.00666
1961	649 (-10 from 1960)	146 (-3 from 1960)	0.00677
1960	639 No change from 1959	149 (+3 from 1959)	0.00688
1959	639 (+53 from 1958)	146 (+29 from 1958)	0.00674
1958	692 (-20 from 1957)	117 (-12 from 1957)	0.00543
1957	672 (-61 from 1956)	129 (-24 from 1956)	0.00589
1956	611 (+60 from 1955)	153 (+34 from 1955)	0.00713
1955	671 (-38 from 1954)	119 (-16 from 1954)	0.00569
1954	633 (+3 from 1953)	135 (+9 from 1953)	0.00652
1953	636 (-45 from 1952)	126 (-14 from 1952)	0.00629
1952	591 (-9 from 1951)	140 (-2 from 1951)	0.00709
1951	582 (-7 from 1950)	142 (+3 from 1950)	0.00743
1950	575 (+32 from 1949)	139 (+14 from 1949)	0.00764
1949	607 (-37 from 1948)	125 (-12 from 1948)	0.00694
1948	570 (-4 from 1947)	137 (-6 from 1947)	0.00768
1947	566 (+33 from 1946)	143 (+27 from 1946)	0.00770
1946	599 (-65 from 1945)	116 (-9 from 1945)	0.00703
1945	534 (+11 from 1944)	125 (+1 from 1944)	0.00911
1944	545 (+41 from 1943)	124 (+6 from 1943)	0.00893
1943	586 (-50 from 1942)	118 (-12 from 1942)	0.00811
1942	536 (-16 from 1941)	130 No change from 1941	0.00923
1941	520 (-32 from 1940)	130 (-10 from 1940)	0.01036
1940	488 (+59 from 1939)	140 (+30 from 1939)	0.01180
1939	547 (-12 from 1938)	110 (-9 from 1938)	0.00971
1938	535 (-67 from 1937)	119 (-25 from 1937)	0.01047
1937	468 (-24 from 1936)	144 (-16 from 1936)	0.01317
1936	444 (-27 from 1935)	160 (-15 from 1935)	0.01503
1935	417 (+4 from 1934)	175 (-1 from 1934)	0.01636
1934	421 (+18 from 1933)	176 (+19 from 1933)	0.01657
1933	439 (-28 from 1932)	157 (-29 from 1932)	0.01539
1932	411 (+20 from 1931)	186 (+12 from 1931)	0.01731
1931	431 (-1 from 1930)	174 (-16 from 1930)	0.01627
1930	430 (-13 from 1929)	190 (-8 from 1929)	0.01682
1929	417 (-7 from 1928)	198 (-17 from 1928)	0.01788
1928	410 (-11 from 1927)	215 (-9 from 1927)	0.01884
1927	399 (-42 from 1926)	224 (-42 from 1926)	0.01928
1926	357 (-16 from 1925)	266 (-25 from 1925)	0.02322
1925	341 (+39 from 1924)	291 (+44 from 1924)	0.02527
1924	380 (-13 from 1923)	247 (-13 from 1923)	0.02113
1923	367 (-9 from 1922)	260 (-15 from 1922)	0.02296
1922	358 (-12 from 1921)	275 (-16 from 1921)	0.02444
1921	346 (+30 from 1920)	291 (+38 from 1920)	0.02557
1920	376 (-3 from 1919)	253 (+12 from 1919)	0.02298
1919	373 (-35 from 1918)	241 (-45 from 1918)	0.02374
1918	338 (+16 from 1917)	286 (+40 from 1917)	0.02727
1917	354 (-35 from 1916)	246 (-25 from 1916)	0.02564
1916	319 (-2 from 1915)	271 (+2 from 1915)	0.02935
1915	317 (-2 from 1914)	269 (+61 from 1914)	0.03054
1914	315 (-8 from 1913)	208 (+41 from 1913)	0.03044
1913	307 (-24 from 1912)	167 (+8 from 1912)	0.03114
1912	283 (+12 from 1911)	159 (+78 from 1911)	0.03522
1911	295 (+16 from 1910)	81 (+18 from 1910)	0.03355
1910	311 (-19 from 1909)	63 (+3 from 1909)	0.03021
1909	292 (+1 from 1908)	60 (+5 from 1908)	0.03392
1908	293 (+8 from 1907)	55 (+5 from 1907)	0.03306
1907	301 (+8 from 1906)	50 (+6 from 1906)	0.03153
1906	309 (-3 from 1905)	44 (+1 from 1905)	0.03054
1905	306 (-12 from 1904)	43 No change from 1904	0.03002
1904	294 (-25 from 1903)	43 (-4 from 1903)	0.03105
1903	269 (-10 from 1902)	47 (-4 from 1902)	0.03634
1902	259 (-4 from 1901)	51 (+6 from 1901)	0.03842
1901	255 (+57 from 1900)	45 No change from 1900	0.03893
1900	312 (-31 from 1899)	45 (+7 from 1899)	0.02776
1899	281 (-18 from 1898)	38 (-8 from 1898)	0.03299
1898	263 (+25 from 1897)	46 (+7 from 1897)	0.03482
1897	288 (-9 from 1896)	39 (-4 from 1896)	0.03198
1896	279 (-42 from 1895)	43 (-12 from 1895)	0.03332
1895	237 (-19 from 1894)	55 (-5 from 1894)	0.04343
1894	218 (+18 from 1893)	60 (+7 from 1893)	0.04804
1893	236 (-10 from 1892)	53 (-7 from 1892)	0.04379
1892	226 (+3 from 1891)	60 (+11 from 1891)	0.04564
1891	229 (+8 from 1890)	49 No change from 1890	0.04485
1890	237 (-26 from 1889)	49 (-11 from 1889)	0.04094
1889	211 (-11 from 1888)	60 (-15 from 1888)	0.05041
1888	200 (+21 from 1887)	75 (+24 from 1887)	0.05773
1887	221 (-21 from 1886)	51 (-15 from 1886)	0.04666
1886	200 (+13 from 1885)	66 (+10 from 1885)	0.05544
1885	213 (-14 from 1884)	56 (-11 from 1884)	0.04830
1884	199 (-43 from 1883)	67 (-15 from 1883)	0.05459
1883	156 (-11 from 1882)	82 (-12 from 1882)	0.07291
1882	145 (-24 from 1881)	94 (-3 from 1881)	0.07703
1881	121 (+56 from 1880)	97 (+24 from 1880)	0.08959
1880	177 First SSA data recorded	73 First SSA data recorded	0.06166

American States Popularity Rankings for Eli

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

#752021

#752022

#912023

Texas (TX)

#752021

#802022

#862023

New York (NY)

#572021

#622022

#612023

Ohio (OH)

#832021

#702022

#1022023

Pennsylvania (PA)

#702021

#782022

#812023

Florida (FL)

#732021

#772022

#852023

Illinois (IL)

#852021

#932022

#1012023

North Carolina (NC)

#662021

#742022

#942023

Michigan (MI)

#532021

#662022

#582023

Georgia (GA)

#912021

#772022

#1032023

Indiana (IN)

#742021

#642022

#902023

Tennessee (TN)

#602021

#692022

#772023

Missouri (MO)

#722021

#792022

#582023

Washington (WA)

#772021

#732022

#902023

Minnesota (MN)

#592021

#722022

#812023

Wisconsin (WI)

#542021

#602022

#782023

Virginia (VA)

#752021

#862022

#942023

Arizona (AZ)

#762021

#682022

#852023

Colorado (CO)

#562021

#712022

#922023

Kentucky (KY)

#702021

#742022

#782023

Louisiana (LA)

#332021

#282022

#502023

Oklahoma (OK)

#552021

#602022

#892023

Alabama (AL)

#542021

#672022

#1342023

Massachusetts (MA)

#932021

#1232022

#1152023

New Jersey (NJ)

#932021

#742022

#992023

Utah (UT)

#572021

#492022

#562023

Maryland (MD)

#782021

#622022

#882023

Oregon (OR)

#872021

#1652022

#1162023

Kansas (KS)

#602021

#532022

#942023

Iowa (IA)

#392021

#532022

#442023

South Carolina (SC)

#802021

#952022

#1052023

Arkansas (AR)

#582021

#1042022

#1112023

Mississippi (MS)

#1132021

#882022

#1162023

New Mexico (NM)

#382021

#432022

#582023

West Virginia (WV)

#662021

#532022

#442023

Nebraska (NE)

#1102021

#782022

#582023

Connecticut (CT)

#972021

#952022

#1372023

Idaho (ID)

#762021

#422022

#772023

Nevada (NV)

#772021

#782022

#1202023

Maine (ME)

#932021

#622022

#732023

Montana (MT)

#682021

#712022

#682023

North Dakota (ND)

#312021

#832022

#552023

South Dakota (SD)

#982021

#832022

#432023

Hawaii (HI)

#332021

#482022

#1002023

New Hampshire (NH)

#622021

#1222022

#742023

District of Columbia (DC)

#1112021

#772022

#472023

Alaska (AK)

#392021

#482022

#612023

Vermont (VT)

#622021

#372022

#782023

Rhode Island (RI)

#1082021

#502022

#1032023

Delaware (DE)

#852021

#1442022

#1052023

Wyoming (WY)

#392021

#432022

#692023

Popularity Rankings for Eli in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa

Guam

Northern Mariana Islands

U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories

#472014

#672015

#152020

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand

#402021

#542022

#552023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada

#412020

#432021

#422022

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW)

#642021

#592022

#562023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland

#752021

#672022

#872023

Popularity in Canada

Canada

#832021

#1022022

#1432023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland

#992021

#1352022

#1092023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales

#1072019

#1102020

#1052021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland

#1602021

#1562022

#1592023

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland

#1682019

#1712020

#1682021

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico

#1762018

#2692020

#2172021

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium

#1832021

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden

#2862022

#3032023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland

#4112020

#3662021

#3692022

Popularity in Poland

Poland

#4492016

#4112017

#5642018

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Eli a Name for Boys or Girls?

Eli is predominantly a masculine name and is commonly used for boys. In the Bible, Eli is a prominent male figure, serving as a priest and judge, cementing the name’s masculinity.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Eli

Ely
Meaning: Yahweh is God
Origin: HebrewElijah
Meaning: The Lord is my God
Origin: Hebrew, GreekElias
Meaning: Jehovah is God, the Lord is my God
Origin: HebrewElliot
Eliezer
Eliah
Elihu
Elimelech
Elisha
Elia

E
Lee
Lio
Eli-Beli
Meaning: Bright shining one, light
Origin: EnglishEllie

Elito
Elly
Elicus
Lil’Eli
Elikin

Eli in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Eli Manning (American Football Player, born 1981): Former American NFL quarterback celebrated for winning two Super Bowl MVP awards with the New York Giants.
Eli Whitney (Inventor, 1765-1825): American inventor best known for creating the cotton gin, a device that revolutionized the cotton industry in the U.S.
Eli Roth (Director, 1972): American film director, producer, and actor known for his influential work in the horror genre, particularly with films like "Hostel."
Eli Wallach (Actor, 1915-2014): American actor renowned for his diverse roles in film, television, and stage, notably in "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly."

Eli Vance ("Half-Life", 1998, Video Game): A character from the "Half-Life" video game series, portrayed as a brilliant scientist and leader in the resistance against alien invaders.
Eli Gold ("The Good Wife", 2009, TV Series): A character in the TV series "The Good Wife," known as a cunning and politically savvy campaign strategist.
The Book of Eli (2010, Movie): The Book of Eli is a movie sets in a post-apocalyptic world, with the plot revolving the main character Eli and his journey to return a mysterious book.

Eli (Kentucky, USA): A small unincorporated community in Russell County, Kentucky, noted for its quiet rural setting.

Meaning: The Lord is my God
Origin: Hebrew, GreekElias
Meaning: Jehovah is God, the Lord is my God
Origin: HebrewElliot
Meaning: Yahweh is God
Origin: HebrewElijah
Eliseo
Eliezer
Elin
Elio
Ellis
Elia
Ely

Meaning: High mountain, mountain of strength, exalted, enlightened
Origin: Hebrew, EgyptianAaron
Amara
Sky
Aliyah
Samara

Sibling Names for Eli

For a Brother
For a Sister

Parents Who Like the Name Eli Also Like

Make sure to tell me your thoughts about the name Eli in the comment section. I’d love to here more about your opinions.

Plus, you should share this interesting read about Eli with others who are expecting a baby boy.

Helen Doanna

Editor in Chief, Educational Specialist, and Senior Content Creator

Expertise

Child Development Specialist, Child-care Coordinator, Family Support Specialist, Content Writer, Communications Specialist, Educational Consultant, STEAM Teacher

Education

1. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Literature and Journalism
Focus: In-depth knowledge of Literature, knowledge and skills to perceive, create literature or work in related fields; Basic knowledge of communications.

2. University of Social Science and Humanity, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Education Faculty
Focus: Core knowledge of social sciences and humanities – the root for the development of progressive values of education, Multicultural communication in education, Contemporary education in the context of globalization, Learning in the digital technology era, Basic issues of STEAM education, Classroom Management, Special education.

3. Oregon State University, Oregan, US

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Faculty of Human Development and Family Sciences – Child Development
Focus: Different stages of development, from infancy to adulthood; Develop a strong foundation for a career in early childhood programs or classrooms; Learn strategies for supporting young children’s development in early childhood settings.

Helen is an experienced educational specialist and content creator, known for her innovative approach to children’s learning. With a background in literature and child development, she composes engaging educational content for SimpleKids.net. Her work emphasizes creativity, engagement, and simplicity, aiming to make learning enjoyable and accessible for children and their families.

Eli Name Meaning

Eli Overview

Eli Variations in Different Cultures

What Is the Meaning of Eli?

What Is the Origin of The Name Eli?

Eli Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Eli in the U.S. over the Years

American States Popularity Rankings for Eli

California (CA)

Texas (TX)

New York (NY)

Ohio (OH)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Florida (FL)

Illinois (IL)

North Carolina (NC)

Michigan (MI)

Georgia (GA)

Indiana (IN)

Tennessee (TN)

Missouri (MO)

Washington (WA)

Minnesota (MN)

Wisconsin (WI)

Virginia (VA)

Arizona (AZ)

Colorado (CO)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Oklahoma (OK)

Alabama (AL)

Massachusetts (MA)

New Jersey (NJ)

Utah (UT)

Maryland (MD)

Oregon (OR)

Kansas (KS)

Iowa (IA)

South Carolina (SC)

Arkansas (AR)

Mississippi (MS)

New Mexico (NM)

West Virginia (WV)

Nebraska (NE)

Connecticut (CT)

Idaho (ID)

Nevada (NV)

Maine (ME)

Montana (MT)

North Dakota (ND)

South Dakota (SD)

Hawaii (HI)

New Hampshire (NH)

District of Columbia (DC)

Alaska (AK)

Vermont (VT)

Rhode Island (RI)

Delaware (DE)

Wyoming (WY)

Popularity in Other American Territories

Popularity in New Zealand

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Popularity in Canada

Popularity in Ireland

Popularity in England and Wales

Popularity in Scotland

Popularity in Greenland

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Popularity in Belgium

Popularity in Sweden

Popularity in Switzerland

Popularity in Poland

Is Eli a Name for Boys or Girls?

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Eli

Eli in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

Similar Names to Eli

Sibling Names for Eli

Parents Who Like the Name Eli Also Like