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Eli Boy

Popularity: #91 · Trend: ↘ Falling

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)

StateBirthsShare
TX 397
11%
CA 390
11%
NY 230
7%
FL 227
6%
GA 130
4%
PA 130
4%
NC 128
4%
IL 127
4%
OH 125
4%
MI 112
3%
TN 104
3%
VA 96
3%
AZ 84
2%
WI 78
2%
IN 73
2%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
188073
188197
188294
188382
188467
188556
188666
188751
188875
188960
189049
189149
189260
189353
189460
189555
189643
189739
189846
189938
190045
190145
190251
190347
190443
190543
190644
190750
190855
190960
191063
191181
1912159
1913167
1914208
1915269
1916271
1917246
1918286
1919241
1920253
1921291
1922275
1923260
1924247
1925291
1926266
1927224
1928215
1929198
1930190
1931174
1932186
1933157
1934176
1935175
1936161
1937144
1938119
1939110
1940140
1941130
1942130
1943118
1944124
1945125
1946116
1947143
1948137
1949125
1950139
1951142
1952140
1953126
1954135
1955119
1956153
1957129
1958117
1959146
1960149
1961146
1962140
1963139
1964121
1965117
1966117
1967126
1968139
1969129
1970232
1971268
1972264
1973339
1974373
1975338
1976381
1977476
1978441
1979498
1980539
1981550
1982503
1983518
1984507
1985558
1986563
1987550
1988543
1989624
1990667
1991712
1992708
1993877
1994893
1995862
1996891
1997866
19981,016
19991,068
20001,496
20011,644
20021,953
20031,993
20042,550
20052,697
20062,994
20073,250
20084,521
20094,921
20106,570
20117,219
20128,076
20137,949
20147,508
20157,158
20167,129
20176,636
20186,091
20195,535
20205,278
20214,910
20224,702
20234,106
20243,723