Boy · 58th of 23,106
Eli
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
150,972
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2012
Peak Popularity Year
8,107
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Eli stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Eli is a Hebrew name meaning 'ascended' or 'my God'. It has biblical roots, referring to a high priest in the Hebrew Bible. The name has evolved through various forms and retains a strong, spiritual connotation. Eli has gained popularity in modern times, especially in English-speaking countries, and is associated with notable figures in history.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈiːlaɪ/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
Eli is derived from the Hebrew name 'Eli', meaning 'ascended' or 'my God'. In the biblical context, Eli was a high priest and judge of Israel.
Meaning
ascended, my God
Language Evolution
Eli (Hebrew), Eli (Latinized version), Elias (Greek variant), Elijah (related name)
Biblical Background
Eli is a prominent figure in the Hebrew Bible, known for mentoring the prophet Samuel.
Historical Usage
The name Eli gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 19th century, particularly among Jewish communities and later among Christian populations.
Variants & Derivatives
Elie, Elias, Elijah
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Eli is viewed as a strong, classic name that conveys a sense of spirituality and wisdom.
Famous People
Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin, Eli Manning, former professional American football quarterback
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Declining
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 8,107 peak births in 2012
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Alaska
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 18 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 347th of 7545 | 4,536 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 476th of 6773 | 2,772 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 644th of 7552 | 2,562 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 472nd of 10718 | 4,777 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 349th of 16616 | 10,526 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 120th of 24088 | 52,834 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 58th of 23106 | 70,725 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 6846th of 9107 | 18 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 12526th of 12526 | 5 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 9563rd of 19264 | 51 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 7293rd of 27321 | 160 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 5491st of 35406 | 364 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 4411th of 30306 | 384 |