Esli Unisex

Popularity: #914 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EZ-lee //ˈɛzli//

Origin: Hebrew; English

Meaning: God is my salvation (Hebrew); variant of Ashley (English)

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Esli has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name "Eshli," which means "God is my strength." This etymological origin reflects a common practice in Hebrew names to incorporate elements that denote divine attributes or qualities. The name transitioned through various linguistic forms, eventually being adapted into English usage, likely through the influence of biblical translations and the cultural exchanges that occurred over centuries.

Historically, the name Esli is associated with biblical texts, specifically appearing in the Old Testament. It is mentioned in the genealogies of the tribe of Judah in the book of 1 Chronicles, which dates back to the 5th century BCE.

This biblical connection lends the name a significant historical weight, as it ties to the lineage of the Israelites and their narratives. The name's presence in religious texts has contributed to its enduring recognition across different cultures and eras.

Culturally, Esli embodies themes of strength and divine support, resonating with various traditions that emphasize the importance of faith and resilience. Names with similar roots often carry connotations of protection and guidance, which have made them appealing across generations.

In some contexts, diminutive forms or variations of Esli may exist, reflecting regional adaptations or familial preferences, although these are less documented. Overall, the name Esli encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Esli, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Esli was first seen in the United States in 1987.

Esli has ranked as high as #7270 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Esli has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Esli is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Esli was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Esli.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 34 0 34
2024 16 6 10
2023 32 22 10
2022 16 7 9
2021 17 6 11
2020 12 0 12
2019 8 0 8
2018 9 0 9
2017 13 5 8
2016 5 0 5
2015 14 0 14
2014 12 0 12
2013 8 0 8
2012 19 0 19
2011 23 7 16
2010 11 0 11
2009 17 0 17
2008 23 7 16
2007 15 0 15
2006 28 9 19
2005 26 7 19
2004 22 6 16
2003 19 8 11
2002 16 0 16
2001 26 8 18
2000 31 5 26
1999 15 5 10
1998 17 6 11
1997 16 6 10
1996 12 0 12
1995 17 7 10
1994 19 9 10
1993 11 0 11
1992 20 9 11
1991 5 0 5
1990 10 0 10
1987 5 5 0

Top States for Esli (2023)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%