Eli
Male nameHebrew
✨ Meaning
Eli comes from the Hebrew 'eli,' meaning ascent, elevation or height, and in a devotional reading 'my God.' The two senses are close in Hebrew thought, where height and the divine are linked. The name is also used as a short form of Elijah, Elias and Elliott, which are separate names with their own meanings, so a modern Eli may be either an independent name or an abbreviation.
🌍 Origin
In the Hebrew Bible Eli is the high priest at Shiloh who raises the boy Samuel, which gave the name standing in Jewish tradition and later among English Puritans. It has risen sharply in the United States since the 1990s, part of a broad return to short Old Testament names alongside Ezra, Levi, Asher and Silas.
📈 Popularity Trend
⭐ Famous People Named Eli
- Eli Whitney
- Eli Manning
- Eli Wallach
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does Eli mean?
Eli means 'ascent' or 'elevation' in Hebrew, and in a devotional reading 'my God.'
Is Eli short for Elijah?
It is often used that way, but Eli is a distinct biblical name in its own right and is widely registered on its own.
How is Eli pronounced?
In English it is EE-ly. The Hebrew pronunciation is closer to eh-LEE.