Eli
EE-lye /ˈiː.laɪ/
Meaning of Eli
Eli has two related Hebrew roots. As a standalone name (עֵלִי), it means 'ascended' or 'high' — the high priest who raised the young prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 1–4). As a prefix in compound names (Elijah, Eliezer, Eliana), it means 'my God.' Modern English use draws on both; revival from the 1990s onward.
Current popularity of Eli
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #47 |
Notable bearers of Eli
Eli (Hebrew Bible high priest); Eli Whitney (cotton-gin inventor); Eli Manning (athlete).
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Eli — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31