Eli Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationEE-ly / /ˈiː.laɪ/Hebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: 'ascended' or 'my God'; English: diminutive form
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Eli has its roots in Hebrew, derived from the word "‘Eli," which means "ascended," "my God," or "high." This name appears in the Hebrew Bible, where Eli is a significant figure, serving as a high priest and judge of Israel during the period of the Judges. The name was transliterated into Greek as "Eli," which was then adopted into Latin, maintaining its form as it entered Old French and subsequently English. The biblical narrative surrounding Eli, particularly his mentorship of the prophet Samuel, has contributed to the name's enduring presence in religious and cultural contexts.
Historically, Eli is mentioned in the First Book of Samuel, which is dated to around the 11th century BCE. His role as a priest and his interactions with Samuel are pivotal moments in the biblical story, illustrating themes of faith and divine communication. The name gained further prominence through various translations of the Bible, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which helped disseminate the name throughout Christian communities in Europe during the Middle Ages.
Culturally, the name Eli has been associated with wisdom and spiritual leadership, reflecting the characteristics of its biblical namesake. In Jewish tradition, Eli is often viewed as a figure of moral complexity, representing both the challenges of leadership and the importance of faithfulness to God. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as "Elihu," which appears in the Book of Job, further enriching its historical and cultural tapestry. Overall, Eli's significance in religious texts and its linguistic journey through history underscore its lasting impact across cultures.
Trend Summary
Eli has seen a steady increase in popularity in the United States over the past two decades.
Similar Names
Variants
- Elie
- Ely
International Variants
- Eli (Hebrew)
- Elia (Italian)
- Elias (Greek)
Famous people named Eli
Eli Manning is a former professional American football quarterback best known for winning two Super Bowls with the New York Giants.
Eli Roth is a filmmaker and actor best known for Cabin Fever, Hostel, and The Green Inferno.
Eli Wallach was an actor best known for The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Magnificent Seven, and The Godfather Part III.
Eli Whitney was an inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin and contributing to the development of interchangeable parts.
Fictional characters named Eli
Eli Voss is a fictional character from the video game series The Last of Us. He is a key character who plays a significant role in the survival and emotional journey of the protagonist.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Eli was first seen in the United States in 1880. Eli has ranked as high as #57 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In the past 5 years the name Eli has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Eli (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 397 | |
CA | 390 | |
NY | 230 | |
FL | 227 | |
GA | 130 | |
PA | 130 | |
NC | 128 | |
IL | 127 | |
OH | 125 | |
MI | 112 | |
TN | 104 | |
VA | 96 | |
AZ | 84 | |
WI | 78 | |
IN | 73 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 73 |
1881 | 97 |
1882 | 94 |
1883 | 82 |
1884 | 67 |
1885 | 56 |
1886 | 66 |
1887 | 51 |
1888 | 75 |
1889 | 60 |
1890 | 49 |
1891 | 49 |
1892 | 60 |
1893 | 53 |
1894 | 60 |
1895 | 55 |
1896 | 43 |
1897 | 39 |
1898 | 46 |
1899 | 38 |
1900 | 45 |
1901 | 45 |
1902 | 51 |
1903 | 47 |
1904 | 43 |
1905 | 43 |
1906 | 44 |
1907 | 50 |
1908 | 55 |
1909 | 60 |
1910 | 63 |
1911 | 81 |
1912 | 159 |
1913 | 167 |
1914 | 208 |
1915 | 269 |
1916 | 271 |
1917 | 246 |
1918 | 286 |
1919 | 241 |
1920 | 253 |
1921 | 291 |
1922 | 275 |
1923 | 260 |
1924 | 247 |
1925 | 291 |
1926 | 266 |
1927 | 224 |
1928 | 215 |
1929 | 198 |
1930 | 190 |
1931 | 174 |
1932 | 186 |
1933 | 157 |
1934 | 176 |
1935 | 175 |
1936 | 161 |
1937 | 144 |
1938 | 119 |
1939 | 110 |
1940 | 140 |
1941 | 130 |
1942 | 130 |
1943 | 118 |
1944 | 124 |
1945 | 125 |
1946 | 116 |
1947 | 143 |
1948 | 137 |
1949 | 125 |
1950 | 139 |
1951 | 142 |
1952 | 140 |
1953 | 126 |
1954 | 135 |
1955 | 119 |
1956 | 153 |
1957 | 129 |
1958 | 117 |
1959 | 146 |
1960 | 149 |
1961 | 146 |
1962 | 140 |
1963 | 139 |
1964 | 121 |
1965 | 117 |
1966 | 117 |
1967 | 126 |
1968 | 139 |
1969 | 129 |
1970 | 232 |
1971 | 268 |
1972 | 264 |
1973 | 339 |
1974 | 373 |
1975 | 338 |
1976 | 381 |
1977 | 476 |
1978 | 441 |
1979 | 498 |
1980 | 539 |
1981 | 550 |
1982 | 503 |
1983 | 518 |
1984 | 507 |
1985 | 558 |
1986 | 563 |
1987 | 550 |
1988 | 543 |
1989 | 624 |
1990 | 667 |
1991 | 712 |
1992 | 708 |
1993 | 877 |
1994 | 893 |
1995 | 862 |
1996 | 891 |
1997 | 866 |
1998 | 1,016 |
1999 | 1,068 |
2000 | 1,496 |
2001 | 1,644 |
2002 | 1,953 |
2003 | 1,993 |
2004 | 2,550 |
2005 | 2,697 |
2006 | 2,994 |
2007 | 3,250 |
2008 | 4,521 |
2009 | 4,921 |
2010 | 6,570 |
2011 | 7,219 |
2012 | 8,076 |
2013 | 7,949 |
2014 | 7,508 |
2015 | 7,158 |
2016 | 7,129 |
2017 | 6,636 |
2018 | 6,091 |
2019 | 5,535 |
2020 | 5,278 |
2021 | 4,910 |
2022 | 4,702 |
2023 | 4,106 |
2024 | 3,723 |