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Elio

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-lee-oh /ˈiː.li.oʊ/High

Meaning: Italian and Spanish form of Helios, from Greek helios meaning sun; also used as a short form of Eligio or EliseoHigh

In 30 seconds: Elio is a luminous Italian and Spanish name meaning 'sun,' with an airy three-syllable lilt that has captivated parents worldwide, boosted by the film Call Me by Your Name.
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Origin HighItalian, Greek, Spanish
MeaningItalian and Spanish form of Helios, from Greek helios meaning sun; also used as a short form of Eligio or Eliseo
U.S. rank (2025)#388 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births818 boys (0.04% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 5,167

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519122025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Elio derives from the Greek Helios, the personification of the sun in Greek mythology. The Italian and Spanish forms softened the original into a melodic three-syllable given name.

Long established in Italy and Spain, Elio gained international attention after the 2017 film adaptation of André Aciman's novel. It is now rising rapidly in English-speaking countries.

Did you know? The 2017 film Call Me by Your Name, featuring a protagonist named Elio, introduced the name to millions of English-speaking parents and sparked a significant rise in its use.
Overall data confidence 92%
Behind the Name — Elio — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

HeliosHelioEliodoro

Nicknames

Eli

Famous Bearers

  • ★Elio Perlman (fictional)
    Protagonist of André Aciman's 2007 novel and 2017 film Call Me by Your Name.

If you like Elio…

Leo— shares the sunny Latin warmth and short, bright feel
Theo— parallel three-letter classic with the same airy European charm
Rio— shares the vibrant, short, Romance-language feel
Enzo— fellow melodic Italian short form with modern international appeal

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elio mean?

Elio means sun, derived from the Greek Helios through Italian and Spanish adaptations.

How do you pronounce Elio?

It is said EE-lee-oh /ˈiː.li.oʊ/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Did the film Call Me by Your Name make Elio popular?

Yes, the 2017 film significantly boosted Elio's popularity in English-speaking countries.

Is Elio rising in popularity?

Elio has been one of the fastest-rising boys' names in the U.S. and Europe since 2017.