"my God, elevated, ascended"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Eli
Pronunciation: [ EEL-eye ]
Girl Name
#3,525 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A bold, minimal Hebrew name crossing gender lines
English
American
Hebrew
Modern
Minimalist
Bold
Strong
Unique
Meaning & Origin
"high, exalted"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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.
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
Famous People Named Eli
E
Eli Manning
Athlete
1981
American NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl MVP with the New York Giants
E
Eli Whitney
Engineer
1765
American inventor of the cotton gin, which transformed the American South
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
Pairs Well With
Eli Rose
Eli Jane
Eli Marie
Eli Grace
Eli Mae
Eli Claire
Eli June
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Eli is also used as a boy name, ranked #92.
View Eli as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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 common nicknames for Eli?
Common nicknames for Eli include El.
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.
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.