"my God is the Lord, from Elijah"
Origin: Hebrew via English
Language: English
Elliot
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ee-uht ]
Boy Name
#150 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
A prophet's name with literary soul
English
Scottish
American
French
Classic
Literary
Sophisticated
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
"Jehovah is my God"
Origin: Hebrew Eliyahu
Language: English
"Yahweh is God"
Origin: Hebrew Eliyahu via Greek Elias
Language: English
"my God is the Lord"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Elliot
Elliot traces back through the English and Scottish surname Elliot to the medieval given name Elias, the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew prophet Elijah — 'Eliyahu,' meaning 'My God is Yahweh' or 'Yahweh is God.' The Old French form Elie became Eliot/Elliot as a surname in medieval Scotland and England, then re-entered use as a given name. The name thus carries the prophetic lineage of one of the most dramatic figures in the Hebrew Bible.
Elliot has been rising steadily in the US since the 1990s, gaining momentum as a sophisticated alternative to similar names like Oliver and Emmett. It received significant cultural boosts from the TV series Mr. Robot (2015-2019), where Rami Malek's Elliot Alderson became a defining character of the streaming era, and from Scrubs' Elliot Reid. It has also gained popularity as a gender-neutral name.
Elliot carries strong literary and scientific credentials — T.S. Eliot (born Thomas Stearns Eliot) is considered one of the 20th century's greatest poets. The name's connection to Elijah gives it biblical prophetic weight. The fictional Elliot from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) gave it warmth and childhood nostalgia.
Fun Facts
- T.S. Eliot was born Thomas Stearns Eliot and is the most famous literary bearer of the name
- Elliot from E.T. was named the 4th greatest hero in cinema history by the American Film Institute
- Elliot is now genuinely gender-neutral, with growing use for girls since 2015 partly due to Scrubs' Dr. Elliot Reid
Elliot in Other Languages
French
Éliott
German
Elliot
Hebrew
אֱלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu)
Spanish
Eliot
Scottish Gaelic
Ailean
Famous People Named Elliot
E
Elliot Page
Actor
1987
Canadian actor known for Juno, Inception, and The Umbrella Academy, prominent LGBTQ+ advocate
E
Eliot Ness
Other
1903
American Prohibition agent famous for pursuing Al Capone
T
T.S. Eliot (Thomas Stearns)
Writer
1888
Nobel Prize-winning poet known for The Waste Land
T
T.S. Eliot
Writer
1888
American-British poet and Nobel laureate, author of The Waste Land and Four Quartets
E
Elliot (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of Steven Spielberg's beloved 1982 film who befriends an alien stranded on Earth
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #150
- Total SSA Count
- 2,370
- Cultural Origins
- English Scottish American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
El
Pairs Well With
Elliot James
Elliot Thomas
Elliot Gray
Elliot Reed
Elliot Cole
Elliot Blue
Elliot John
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Elliot is also used as a girl name, ranked #944.
View Elliot as a girl name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elliot
What does the name Elliot mean?
"my God is the Lord, from Elijah" (from Hebrew via English). "Jehovah is my God" (from Hebrew Eliyahu). "Yahweh is God" (from Hebrew Eliyahu via Greek Elias). "my God is the Lord" (from Hebrew). Elliot traces back through the English and Scottish surname Elliot to the medieval given name Elias, the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew prophet Elijah — 'Eliyahu,' meaning 'My God is Yahweh' or 'Yahweh is God.' The Old French form Elie became Eliot/Elliot as a surname in medieval Scotland and England, then re-entered use as a given name. The name thus carries the prophetic lineage of one of the most dramatic figures in the Hebrew Bible.
What is the origin of the name Elliot?
Elliot has Hebrew via English, Hebrew Eliyahu, Hebrew Eliyahu via Greek Elias, Hebrew, English, Scottish, American, and French origins. In Hebrew via English, it means "my God is the Lord, from Elijah". In Hebrew Eliyahu, it means "Jehovah is my God". In Hebrew Eliyahu via Greek Elias, it means "Yahweh is God". In Hebrew, it means "my God is the Lord".
Is Elliot a boy or girl name?
Elliot is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #150. As a girl name, it is ranked #944. Elliot is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elliot?
Elliot is pronounced EHL-ee-uht.
How popular is the name Elliot?
Elliot is currently ranked #150 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elliot?
Common nicknames for Elliot include Eli and El.
What are good middle names for Elliot?
Popular middle name pairings include Elliot James, Elliot Thomas, Elliot Gray, Elliot Reed, Elliot Cole, Elliot Blue, and Elliot John.
What are good sibling names for Elliot?
Names that pair well with Elliot as siblings include Oliver, Jasper, Nora, Phoebe, Emmett, Hazel, and Felix.
How many syllables does Elliot have?
Elliot has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elliot a common or rare name?
Elliot is a popular name, ranked #150 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Elliot
Elliot is a boy name with English, Scottish, American, and French origins . The name means "my God is the Lord, from Elijah" in Hebrew via English .
Is Elliot a boy or girl name? Elliot is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #150 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #944. Elliot is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elliot is currently ranked #150 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elliot has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ee-uht, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elliot include Eli and El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elliot include Elliott, Ellis, Ellison, Ellias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.