"my God is an oath"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Elis
Does Elis flow with your last name?
A Welsh classic with ancient Hebrew roots
Welsh
Scandinavian
Hebrew
English
Classic
Vintage
Strong
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"Jehovah is God"
Origin: Hebrew via Greek
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Elis
Elis is a Welsh and Scandinavian variant of Elias, which derives from the Hebrew Eliyahu meaning my God is Yahweh or my God is an oath. In Wales, Elis has been used for centuries as a form of Elias, carried by Welsh saints and scholars. The name was borne by the medieval Welsh poet Elis Gruffudd.
Elis has seen renewed interest as parents seek less common alternatives to the popular Ellis. Its Welsh heritage and clean two-syllable sound appeal to parents wanting a name that is familiar yet distinctive.
In Wales, Elis is a historically significant name tied to both religious tradition and literary heritage. The 16th-century Welsh chronicler Elis Gruffudd preserved important records of Welsh history.
Historical Record
Elis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 233 babies have been named Elis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elis is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,117 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elis Gruffudd was a 16th-century Welsh soldier and chronicler known as the Soldier of Calais
- The name is currently popular in Sweden, where it ranks in the top 100 baby names
Elis in Other Languages
Welsh
Elis
French
Élie
Hebrew
אֱלִיָּהוּ
Spanish
Elías
Swedish
Elis
Popularity Over Time
#6,117
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elis
E
Elis James
Entertainer
1983
Welsh comedian and broadcaster
E
Elis Gruffudd
Writer
1490
Welsh chronicler and soldier known for preserving Welsh historical records
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,117
- Total SSA Count
- 15
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh Scandinavian Hebrew English
- 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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 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
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elis
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Elis is also used as a girl name, ranked #7264.
View Elis as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elis
What does the name Elis mean?
"my God is an oath" (from Hebrew). "Jehovah is God" (from Hebrew via Greek). Elis is a Welsh and Scandinavian variant of Elias, which derives from the Hebrew Eliyahu meaning my God is Yahweh or my God is an oath. In Wales, Elis has been used for centuries as a form of Elias, carried by Welsh saints and scholars. The name was borne by the medieval Welsh poet Elis Gruffudd.
What is the origin of the name Elis?
Elis has Hebrew, Hebrew via Greek, Welsh, Scandinavian, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is an oath". In Hebrew via Greek, it means "Jehovah is God".
Is Elis a boy or girl name?
Elis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #6117. As a girl name, it is ranked #7264. Elis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Elis?
Elis is currently ranked #6117 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Elis?
Popular middle name pairings include Elis James, Elis Thomas, Elis John, Elis Owen, Elis Morgan, and Elis David.
What are good sibling names for Elis?
Names that pair well with Elis as siblings include Seren, Rhys, Carys, Owen, Finn, and Nora.
How many syllables does Elis have?
Elis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Elis a common or rare name?
Elis is an uncommon name, ranked #6117 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Elis?
About the Name Elis
Elis is a boy name with Welsh, Scandinavian, Hebrew, and English origins . The name means "my God is an oath" in Hebrew .
Is Elis a boy or girl name? Elis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #6,117 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,264. Elis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elis is currently ranked #6,117 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elis has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Elis include El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elis include Elijah, Elias, Eli, Elian, Eliam . 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