"Jehovah is God; the Lord is my God"
Elliott
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ee-uht ]
Timeless, literary, and quietly sophisticated
Meaning & Origin
"son of Elias"
The Story of Elliott
Elliott derives from the Old French surname Eliott, itself a medieval diminutive of the Hebrew name Elias (Elijah), meaning 'My God is Yahweh' or 'The Lord is my God.' The name entered England after the Norman Conquest and became established as both a given name and a family name. The double-t spelling is the traditional British variant, while Elliot (single t) is the more common American spelling.
Elliott has enjoyed a steady climb since the 1990s, buoyed by its literary and cinematic associations. The character Elliott in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) gave the name warm, nostalgic associations for an entire generation of parents. It has consistently ranked in the US top 100 in recent years.
In English literary tradition, Elliott carries associations with intelligence and sensitivity. The name appears across British and American literature and popular culture, often as the name of a thoughtful, empathetic protagonist. Its Scottish clan heritage (Clan Elliott) adds rugged historical depth.
Fun Facts
- Elliott from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is one of cinema's most beloved child characters
- Clan Elliott is one of Scotland's Border clans with a history dating to the 13th century
- T.S. Eliot (born Thomas Stearns Eliot) is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century
Elliott in Other Languages
Famous People Named Elliott
Elliott Smith
Musician
1969
Influential American singer-songwriter known for delicate, introspective folk-rock
Elliott Gould
Actor
1938
American actor known for M*A*S*H, The Long Goodbye, and Friends
T.S. Eliot
Writer
1888
Nobel Prize-winning poet and author of The Waste Land and Four Quartets
Elliott (E.T. character) Fictional
Other
Fictional boy protagonist of Steven Spielberg's beloved 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #163
- Total SSA Count
- 2,219
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Elliott is also used as a girl name, ranked #612.
View Elliott as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elliott
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About the Name Elliott
Elliott is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "Jehovah is God; the Lord is my God" in Hebrew via Old French .
Is Elliott a boy or girl name? Elliott is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #163 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #612. Elliott is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elliott is currently ranked #163 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elliott has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ee-uht, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elliott include Eli and El. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elliott include Elliot, Ellis, Ellison, Ellias . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.