Find out how popular the first name Eli has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Eli by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Eli is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Eli being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 4,081 male babies and 29 female babies born with the name Eli.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 29 baby girls were named Eli in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Eli

The name Eli has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew word "Eliyahu," which means "my God is Yahweh." The name Eli is a shortened form of this longer version.

In the Hebrew Bible, Eli was a high priest and judge in ancient Israel. He is mentioned in the Books of Samuel, where he raised the young Samuel to serve in the temple. Eli's life and story are significant in the religious and cultural history of the Israelites.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Eli can be found in the Book of Samuel, which is believed to have been written around the 7th century BCE. The name also appears in other ancient texts, such as the Talmud and various Jewish writings.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Eli. One of the most famous was Eli Whitney, an American inventor born in 1765, who is credited with inventing the cotton gin, a revolutionary machine that significantly impacted the cotton industry.

Another well-known Eli was Eli Wallach, an American actor born in 1915, who gained recognition for his roles in films such as "The Magnificent Seven" and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." He had a long and successful career in both film and theatre.

In the world of literature, Eli Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor born in 1928, was a prominent writer and activist. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986 for his efforts in promoting human rights and peace.

Eli Hurvitz, an Israeli businessman and philanthropist born in 1934, was the co-founder of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, one of the largest generic drug companies in the world. He was instrumental in the growth and success of the company.

Eli Broad, an American entrepreneur and philanthropist born in 1933, made his fortune in the homebuilding and insurance industries. He is also known for his significant contributions to art museums and education initiatives through his charitable foundations.

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Eli, but the name's rich cultural and historical roots make it a timeless and meaningful choice.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Eli was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Eli, please contact us.

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