Eli
Gender: Boy
Meaning: My God; ascent; high
Origin: Hebrew — from Eli (עֵלִי), meaning high or ascent, or a short form of Elijah or Elias
Popularity: Ranked #104 in 2025 with 3,418 babies born.
History: Eli stands on its own as a biblical name — Eli was the high priest of Israel who raised the prophet Samuel. But it also functions as a nickname for Elijah, Elias, and Eliot, making it one of the most versatile short names in the biblical tradition. In America it gained early prominence through Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin. It re-entered the U.S. top 50 in the 2000s and has been climbing ever since. Its combination of ancient religious depth and modern minimalist appeal makes it perfectly suited to contemporary naming tastes.
Name length: 3 letters
How common is Eli? About 1 in 964 babies born in 2025 were named Eli, or roughly 9.5 per day in the United States.
Explore more baby names at BabyNa.me — 29,000+ names with meanings, origins, and popularity trends.
Loading name...
Frequently asked about Eli
What does the name Eli mean?
Eli means “My God; ascent; high” from Hebrew — from Eli (עֵלִי), meaning high or ascent, or a short form of Elijah or Elias roots.
What is the origin of the name Eli?
Eli has Hebrew — from Eli (עֵלִי), meaning high or ascent, or a short form of Elijah or Elias origin. The traditional meaning is “My God; ascent; high”.
How popular is Eli?
Eli ranked #104 in 2025 — given to 3,418 babies that year.
When was Eli most popular?
Eli peaked in 2012 with 8,076 babies registered that year.
Is Eli a boy or girl name?
Eli is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Elis in registered births are male.
Is the name Eli rising or falling in popularity?
Eli has risen 4464 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4568 in 2020 to #104 in 2025.
How long has Eli been recorded?
Eli appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.