Eli
Eli: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈilaɪ/
Meaning and origin of Eli
Root meaning: “ascent”
- A male given name from Hebrew of Biblical origin.
Etymology
From Hebrew עֵלִי (“ascent”); cognate to the Arabic-derived Ali.
How popular is Eli?
Since 1880, 1,017 girls and 153,495 boys in the U.S. have been named Eli (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3513 in 2004. Its highest rank for boys was #43 in 2012. In 2025 it ranked #104 for boys, with 3,453 babies given the name.
Names similar to Eli
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Hebrew boy names
Sibling name ideas for Eli
Sister and brother names that share Eli's Hebrew roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Eli FAQ
What does the name Eli mean?
Eli traces back to a root meaning "ascent". A male given name from Hebrew of Biblical origin. From Hebrew עֵלִי (“ascent”); cognate to the Arabic-derived Ali.
What is the origin of the name Eli?
Eli is listed as a name of Hebrew origin.
How popular is the name Eli?
Since 1880, 1,017 girls and 153,495 boys in the U.S. have been named Eli (1% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #3513 in 2004. Its highest rank for boys was #43 in 2012. In 2025 it ranked #104 for boys, with 3,453 babies given the name.
Is Eli a boy or girl name?
Eli is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 1,017 girls and 153,495 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.