Declining since 2013, #104 for boys today.
Popularity of Eli since 1880
Babies named Eli per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 721 |
| 1890s | 492 |
| 1900s | 483 |
| 1910s | 1,991 |
| 1920s | 2,520 |
| 1930s | 1,592 |
| 1940s | 1,288 |
| 1950s | 1,346 |
| 1960s | 1,323 |
| 1970s | 3,610 |
| 1980s | 5,455 |
| 1990s | 8,562 |
| 2000s | 28,043 |
| 2010s | 69,900 |
| 2020s | 26,169 |
Meaning & origin
Eli is a compact biblical name that has been in consistent use in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security data. It reached its peak popularity in 2012, when it ranked highest among U.S. baby names. Since 2013, however, its trajectory has been falling, though it remains a familiar choice. In 2025, the name ranked 104th, with approximately 1 in 500 boys receiving the name. Eli is particularly favored in states like Maine, Alaska, and West Virginia, reflecting a stronger regional appeal in more rural and northern areas. Its brevity and strong biblical roots contribute to its enduring appeal as a standalone name or a short form of Elijah or Elias.
Eli is a Hebrew name derived from the word 'alah, meaning 'to ascend' or 'to go up.' It appears in the Bible as a high priest and judge of Israel, and as an abbreviation of Elijah or Elias. The name has been used by English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, particularly among Puritans, and has maintained steady popularity in the United States.
Where Eli is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Eli” around the world
Where Eli lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
120
babies in 2024
Ireland
23
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#47
in 2025
Quebec
#45
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#89
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: E
Sibling names for Eli
Names that share Eli's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Noah, Levi, Mia, Emma, Ava, Lila, Miriam, Nia, Talia, Aerial, Alea, Aleen, Aleia, Alita, Aliza, Ami, Anaya, Areli, Avaya, Aviva, Ayala, Bela, Cami, Chava, Chaya, Dalia, Dinah, Elana, Emeri, Ester, Ila, Ivey, Kami, Kesha, Kia, Kiah, Laya, Malaya, Mari, Mika, Miki, Mina, Mira, Mona, My, Naya, Nya, Raya, Rhema, Rivka, Sama, Sariyah, Shani, Shira, Shoshana, Suri, Tehya, Tia, Vada, Vina, Yara, Zara, Adhara, Ahuva, Aira, Alizah, Amaiya, Amarah, Amerie, Anai, Ani, Ara, Ariela, Avia, Avigail, Ayra, Bina, Calia, Chi, Devorah, Dyani, Elani, Ezri, Hadassa, Inara, Isley, Izzy, Jani, Kalaya, Kasha, Keilah, Kena, Keya, Kezia, Kyah, La, Lala, Layah, Liora, Loria, Malea, Maliya, Marah, Mea, Meira, Mena, Myia, Myka, Naia, Nailea, Naiya, Naja, Nava, Neomi, Neta, Niah, Nisa, Nyra, Raniya, Rayah, Rea, Riva, Saray, Sari, Sariya, Sayra, Sela, Shaindy, Shifra, Siana, Tala, Tali, Taniya, Terah, Tesa, Tova, Yocheved, Zada, Zari, Zina, Ziva, Aaira, Aalyah, Abria, Adama, Aeva, Aija, Aina, Aisa, Aiva, Aiyla, Alenna, Alla, Aloni, Alorah, Alyzah, Ama, Amela, Analeia, Anara, Anari, Anely, Annia, Anyia, Arella, Ariam, Ariell, Ariza, Ary, Aryam, Asani, Ashira, Ashya, Aveyah, Aviella, Aviyah, Ayiana, Ayzal, Ayzel, Batya, Caiya, Cala, Celie, Cira, Corah, Daliah, Dema, Dinorah, Elanna, Elika, Elis, Eliya, Elka, Emorie, Eri, Esra, Esty, Evalee, Evi, Evia, Gal, Galia, Glee, Hadasa, Hila, Idy, Ikea, Ilena, Ilia, Irha, Ivee, Iza, Jarah, Juni, Kana, Kendi, Khloie, Kilah, Kiri, Kiyara, Kyia, Laiyah, Lalah, Lama, Lanya, Lari, Layana, Leelah, Leeya, Leeyah, Liat, Lielle, Lynea, Madai, Maraya, Matia, Mayar, Mazel, Meela, Meia, Meila, Melana, Melea, Mera, Meron, Mesha, Meya, Mianna, Mikaya, Milca, Mili, Minha, Mirah, Miraya, Mirel, Miri, Miryam, Miyanna, Mylia, Mysha, Naira, Nariya, Natania, Natanya, Nea, Neah, Nely, Neyla, Nomi, Nyana, Nyia, Olean, Orli, Orly, Penina, Raeya, Raia, Ramiya, Rema, Renia, Resa, Riah, Riyah, Saachi, Sadi, Seena, Selia, Simi, Soriya, Suni, Talea, Tani, Tiya, Toba, Tzipporah, Tzivia, Yaire, Yeni, Yer, Yides, Zaidee, Zalia, Zania, Ziara, Aairah, Aasia, Adalay, Adalei, Addi, Adiya, Ahlia, Ailed, Akera, Aleni, Amali, Amea, Anaaya, Anavi, Anira, Anissia, Aritzel, Ashara, Atira, Aulora, Ausha, Aviela, Avya, Ayde, Aylissa, Ayona, Aysa, Bani, Basha, Belem, Camiah, Catia, Chanika, Devra, Dia, Ebelin, Eevie, Elaya, Elky, Ellarie, Ellina, Eloyce, Emaya, Eria, Hadar, Hania, Hava, Hena, Icelyn, Idali, Imaya, Iyani, Jady, Jalea, Janaia, Janova, Jemia, Jhade, Jouri, Judieth, Kaari, Kacia, Kamira, Kamyrah, Kaomi, Katori, Kayani, Kayomi, Kayori, Keia, Keyari, Khamila, Klaira, Klea, Kyrielle, Layani, Leba, Lekia, Lenni, Leyda, Leza, Libi, Lisia, Liya, Lylla, Madia, Makira, Malaiah, Malkia, Malya, Manna, Meily, Meli, Melora, Mialani, Mirriam, Miyani, Monea, Naarah, Nai, Naysa, Ndia, Neeka, Nema, Neya, Niaomi, Nili, Nira, Novi, Nysa, Nysha, Oriyah, Pachia, Ramah, Ramaya, Rameen, Ramia, Rashi, Rin, Roniya, Sairah, Samika, Sanayah, Sema, Senai, Seri, Sharai, Shasha, Sheina, Shoshanah, Shoshannah, Shyana, Simya, Sireen, Siyana, Synai, Tamirah, Telia, Teliyah, Temima, Tenia, Teyah, Thena, Thia, Tinna, Tirza, Tomia, Tovah, Tria, Tuleen, Venia, Yaeli, Yaffa, Yailyn, Yalena, Yanel, Yani, Yarah, Yarelly, Yaremi, Yeira, Yitzel, Ytzel, Zalani, Zarielle, Zelina, Zenaya, Zeya, Zivah, Zoi, Zyann, Allani, Arilla, Ayris, Ayssa, Camy, Edit, Gali, Jadi, Javaeh, Ketura, Lakina, Manelyk, Meiah, Miata, Miela, Miraal, Nasly, Salia, Surie, Aala, Abiah, Adalai, Adinah, Adiva, Ahavah, Ahni, Ahriyah, Airah, Airess, Alinea, Alle, Allea, Alsha, Amary, Amei, Ameka, Anab, Anahia, Analei, Anda, Aneri, Anikah, Anyi, Aquinnah, Araeya, Araiah, Araly, Ariday, Arra, Asherah, Asmi, Atalya, Ayen, Ayliana, Ayriel, Ayzia, Bassheva, Beila, Beza, Calah, Carmi, Chanah, Chasya, Chayah, Dailah, Daliya, Dalya, Danayah, Deah, Deleah, Denya, Devory, Deya, Deyani, Dianely, Dvora, Elantra, Elany, Emunah, Gavrielle, Haila, Hallel, Hara, Helem, Henya, Hilinai, Hydia, Ia, Iasha, Idara, Ilany, Ilee, Illana, Imona, Iria, Iriel, Ivi, Jahnai, Jahni, Jaiyah, Jemya, Jerah, Jiyana, Joda, Juelle, Kaiyla, Kalaia, Kamina, Kashi, Katiya, Kayia, Keah, Kearia, Kehlanie, Keomi, Keta, Khila, Kiaria, Kili, Kiyani, Kyelle, Lalena, Lamara, Lany, Laria, Layaan, Leilahni, Lenia, Liyat, Loda, Maicy, Malay, Mally, Maneh, Mati, Meilah, Mellina, Metha, Mida, Miria, Myan, Myani, Naasia, Nalea, Nalla, Namine, Nashia, Navil, Naw, Nayleah, Neesa, Neira, Neka, Neleh, Nera, Neveen, Nikeria, Nikyah, Niyomi, Niza, Noheli, Orah, Ovi, Piya, Reha, Reia, Ruhama, Saharra, Saila, Samai, Sarit, Sayana, Seniya, Seyla, Shalva, Sheera, Sherah, Sheva, Shirah, Shiri, Sila, Sithara, Smaya, Sonnia, Sya, Tabia, Talli, Tanai, Tenea, Teriyah, Tija, Tima, Tinaya, Tirsa, Toleen, Veya, Yafa, Yanai, Yesha, Zadia, Zaidy, Zanae, Zanai, Zeyna, Zoa, Zoua, Zyona
Brothers: Noah, Levi, Isaac, Ezra, Caleb, Abel, Noe, Abram, Avi, Ayan, Brycen, Deacon, Dov, Eber, Finis, Izrael, Jed, Mikah, Misael, Mordechai, Omer, Ori, Rubin, Zayn, Adi, Aharon, Ahron, Aj, Akiva, Alon, Amarii, Amiel, Amon, Anay, Aram, Arik, Boaz, Edan, Emari, Enoc, Esdras, Hillel, Isom, Jairus, Javan, Jeb, Jerimiah, Josias, Kobi, Lev, Naftali, Nahum, Natan, Ren, Shalom, Tal, Uri, Uziel, Webb, Yancey, Yoel, Zaine, Zeb, Zev, Adlai, Aki, Amarian, Amier, Arien, Arnez, Arye, Asaph, Avante, Azir, Betzalel, Calem, Chai, Danel, Derion, Elex, Elim, Elimelech, Emet, Evian, Exodus, Ivo, Jabez, Ji, Joab, Joash, Jonael, Kalab, Keno, Lakai, Manasseh, Manu, Mikai, Naaman, Nachman, Naftoli, Naftuli, Namon, Noriel, Pinchas, Raffi, Rafi, Reo, Reuel, Reyan, Ronit, Shimshon, Shraga, Toma, Tomer, Yafet, Yeshaya, Yishai, Yonah, Zadok, Zakhari, Zakhi, Zayde, Ziaire, Zvi, Abdon, Aizik, Alem, Allon, Amish, Amyr, Anival, Arel, Ariv, Avir, Aysen, Beni, Cauy, Dhilan, Duvid, Eban, Edahi, Edis, Ein, Elai, Elior, Elya, Etai, Etan, Eulice, Ezel, Gedalya, Ilai, Imir, Iyan, Izen, Jahaan, Jehiel, Joram, Kanon, Keian, Kirin, Lavi, Machai, Manoah, Meilech, Merek, Netanel, Nissim, Nyair, Omere, Owin, Ramar, Reuven, Rishon, Ryaan, Shlome, Sony, Tion, Vadhir, Yuriel, Zayon, Zayven, Albi, Asar, Aaro, Adar, Adir, Aleph, Alyaan, Arieh, Ariez, Asser, Avish, Aviyon, Chananya, Chanoch, Danon, Destan, Dinari, Edras, Ejay, Elber, Eljay, Elo, Elohim, Elroi, Euro, Gatsby, Hanniel, Ido, Idus, Imer, Imri, Isaul, Izzak, Jaan, Jaja, Jefte, Jekhi, Karo, Kashe, Katai, Kayan, Keimon, Kenay, Kiam, Leny, Leor, Meba, Micai, Mikhai, Mylik, Nagi, Nahun, Noar, Noeh, Nussen, Nyan, Oli, Ory, Ovadia, Pinches, Poe, Ruven, Shakai, Suvan, Tovia, Yeudiel, Yoniel, Yorel, Yunay, Zahki, Zakye, Zamire, Zayir, Zelig, Zevi
Names like Eli
Names whose popularity has moved with Eli's over the last 50 years.

