Rising since 1986, #1,911 for girls today.
Popularity of Elif since 1977
Babies named Elif per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 6 |
| 1980s | 42 |
| 1990s | 110 |
| 2000s | 209 |
| 2010s | 589 |
| 2020s | 578 |
Meaning & origin
Elif first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1977, and since 1986 its usage has been steadily climbing. It reached its peak rank of 1911 in 2025, with approximately 1 in 15,914 newborn girls receiving the name. The name has strong ties to Turkish and Arabic heritage, and its top states include New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania, reflecting communities with significant Turkish populations. Elif's elegant simplicity and cultural resonance have contributed to its gradual rise, appealing to parents seeking a name that is both distinctive and rooted in tradition.
Elif is the Turkish form of the Arabic name Alif, named after the first letter of the Arabic alphabet (ا). The letter alif symbolizes the first, the beginning, and by extension is associated with qualities like slenderness and grace. The name gained popularity in Turkey during the 20th century and has since spread to other regions, particularly among Turkish diaspora communities.
Where Elif is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elif” around the world
Where Elif lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
165
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eli, Lif, Ela
Variants: Alif, Elife, Elifa
Sibling names for Elif
Names that share Elif's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Aylin, Dilara, Leyla, Mira, Zara, Melek, Nazli, Yasemin, Adalet, Cennet, Esmeray, Melis, Miray, Nihan, Sibel, Zeynep, Beyza, Aidana, Arzu, Ayse, Betul, Emine, Ilayda, Meral, Merve, Nejla, Ruya, Seher, Selin
Brothers: Ali, Emir, Kaan, Omar, Yusuf, Aslan, Aydin, Demir, Duran, Ahmet, Arda, Aylan, Emre, Enes, Kerem, Mehmet, Berk, Burak, Ekin, Kagan, Murat, Orhan, Timur, Turhan, Altan, Aras, Emrah, Fatih, Furkan, Senay, Ulas, Zekai
