"my God is Yahweh, the Lord is my God"
Origin: Hebrew (via Elijah/Elias)
Language: English
Elliot
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ee-uht ]
Girl Name
#944 Most Popular
Rising
3 Syllables
Literary, gender-defying, and quietly strong
English
American
French
Modern
Unique
Literary
Sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
The Story of Elliot
Elliot derives from the medieval English and French form of Elijah (via Elias), itself from the Hebrew Eliyahu meaning my God is Yahweh. Traditionally a male surname and first name, Elliot has increasingly been adopted for girls in the 2010s and 2020s as part of the broader trend toward gender-neutral names with literary sophistication. The three-syllable rhythm gives it a natural elegance for girls.
Elliot for girls gained significant momentum after the character Elliot Reed in Scrubs (2001-2010) made the name feel naturally feminine in American pop culture. In recent years, the nonbinary character Elliot in Netflix's The Umbrella Academy further expanded the name's gender-fluid appeal.
The shift of Elliot from male to gender-neutral reflects a broader cultural movement toward surname-style names for girls. George Eliot (born Mary Ann Evans) used a masculine name to be taken seriously as a Victorian novelist — giving the name Elliot a feminist literary precedent for girls.
Fun Facts
- George Eliot, one of the greatest Victorian novelists, was born Mary Ann Evans and adopted the masculine pen name
- Elliot appeared in the US girls top 1000 for the first time in the 2010s
- Eliot (single T) was the pen name of T.S. Eliot, one of the most influential poets of the 20th century
Elliot in Other Languages
French
Elliot
German
Elliot
Hebrew
אליהו
Spanish
Elliot
Famous People Named Elliot
T
T.S. Eliot
Writer
1888
Nobel Prize-winning American-British poet known for The Waste Land
G
George Eliot
Writer
1819
Victorian novelist (born Mary Ann Evans) who used a masculine pen name; wrote Middlemarch and Silas Marner
E
Elliot Reed Fictional
Other
Female protagonist of medical comedy-drama Scrubs, one of TV's first notable female Elliots
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #944
- Total SSA Count
- 278
- Cultural Origins
- English American French
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ellie
Elle
Eli
Pairs Well With
Elliot Rose
Elliot Grace
Elliot Jane
Elliot Anne
Elliot Claire
Elliot Mae
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Elliot is also used as a boy name, ranked #150.
View Elliot as a boy 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 Yahweh, the Lord is my God" (from Hebrew (via Elijah/Elias)). Elliot derives from the medieval English and French form of Elijah (via Elias), itself from the Hebrew Eliyahu meaning my God is Yahweh. Traditionally a male surname and first name, Elliot has increasingly been adopted for girls in the 2010s and 2020s as part of the broader trend toward gender-neutral names with literary sophistication. The three-syllable rhythm gives it a natural elegance for girls.
What is the origin of the name Elliot?
Elliot has Hebrew (via Elijah/Elias), English, American, and French origins. In Hebrew (via Elijah/Elias), it means "my God is Yahweh, the Lord is my God".
Is Elliot a boy or girl name?
Elliot is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #944. As a boy name, it is ranked #150. 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 #944 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elliot?
Common nicknames for Elliot include Ellie, Elle, and Eli.
What are good middle names for Elliot?
Popular middle name pairings include Elliot Rose, Elliot Grace, Elliot Jane, Elliot Anne, Elliot Claire, and Elliot Mae.
What are good sibling names for Elliot?
Names that pair well with Elliot as siblings include Rowan, Quinn, Morgan, Parker, Avery, and Finley.
How many syllables does Elliot have?
Elliot has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elliot a common or rare name?
Elliot is moderately common, ranked #944 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
About the Name Elliot
Elliot is a girl name with English, American, and French origins . The name means "my God is Yahweh, the Lord is my God" in Hebrew (via Elijah/Elias) .
Is Elliot a boy or girl name? Elliot is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #944 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #150. Elliot is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elliot is currently ranked #944 in popularity for girl 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 Ellie, Elle, and Eli. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elliot include Ellie, Elliana, Elliott, Ellianna, Ellis . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.