"my God, elevated, ascended"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Eli
Pronunciation: [ EEL-eye ]
Does Eli flow with your last name?
A bold, minimal Hebrew name crossing gender lines
English
American
Hebrew
Modern
Minimalist
Bold
Strong
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"high, exalted"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Eli
Eli is primarily known as a Hebrew masculine name meaning 'my God' or 'ascended, elevated.' However, as a girl's name it represents the growing trend of using short, traditionally masculine or unisex names for girls. The name appears in the Bible as the high priest Eli, who raised the prophet Samuel. As a feminine name, Eli feels fresh and minimalist, part of the wave of two-letter girl names like Ava, Mia, and Zoe.
While Eli has been a solid boys' name for decades, its use for girls is a newer phenomenon driven by the trend toward gender-neutral naming. Short, punchy names that work for any gender have been rising sharply, and Eli fits perfectly into this movement.
The Eli spelling on a girl breaks the traditional biblical gendering of the name, appealing to parents who want something recognizable but unexpected. It joins names like Charlie, Blake, and Quinn as names that have crossed from masculine to broadly used.
Historical Record
Eli first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 964 babies have been named Eli in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Eli is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,525 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Eli was the high priest at Shiloh who raised the prophet Samuel in the Hebrew Bible
- Eli ranked in the top 60 boys' names in the US in recent years
- The trend of Eli for girls reflects broader acceptance of gender-neutral naming
Eli in Other Languages
French
Élie
Hebrew
אֵלִי
Italian
Eli
Spanish
Eli
Popularity Over Time
#3,525
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Compare Eli with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,525
- Total SSA Count
- 44
- Cultural Origins
- English American Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
El
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Eli
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Eli is also used as a boy name, ranked #92.
View Eli as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Hawaiian origin
"family, extended family"
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Hawaiian/Sanskrit influence origin
"beloved one"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eli
What does the name Eli mean?
"my God, elevated, ascended" (from Hebrew). "high, exalted" (from Hebrew). Eli is primarily known as a Hebrew masculine name meaning 'my God' or 'ascended, elevated.' However, as a girl's name it represents the growing trend of using short, traditionally masculine or unisex names for girls. The name appears in the Bible as the high priest Eli, who raised the prophet Samuel. As a feminine name, Eli feels fresh and minimalist, part of the wave of two-letter girl names like Ava, Mia, and Zoe.
What is the origin of the name Eli?
Eli has Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God, elevated, ascended". In Hebrew, it means "high, exalted".
Is Eli a boy or girl name?
Eli is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3525. As a boy name, it is ranked #92. Eli is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Eli?
Eli is pronounced EEL-eye.
How popular is the name Eli?
Eli is currently ranked #3525 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Eli?
Popular middle name pairings include Eli Rose, Eli Jane, Eli Marie, Eli Grace, Eli Mae, Eli Claire, and Eli June.
What are good sibling names for Eli?
Names that pair well with Eli as siblings include Avi, Noah, Ezra, Zara, Mila, Levi, and Noa.
How many syllables does Eli have?
Eli has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Eli a common or rare name?
Eli is an uncommon name, ranked #3525 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Eli?
About the Name Eli
Eli is a girl name with English, American, and Hebrew origins . The name means "my God, elevated, ascended" in Hebrew .
Is Eli a boy or girl name? Eli is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,525 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #92. Eli is more commonly used as a boy name.
Eli is currently ranked #3,525 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Eli has 2 syllables and is pronounced EEL-eye, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Eli include El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Eli include Elizabeth, Eliana, Eliza, Elise, Elianna . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis