Eliza

♀ Girl

Pronounced ih-LY-zuh /ɪˈlaɪ.zə/High

Meaning: My God is an oath; pledged to God — short form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew ElishebaHigh

In 30 seconds: A spirited short form of Elizabeth meaning 'pledged to God,' Eliza has been an independent name since the Victorian era. As both a literary and musical heroine — from My Fair Lady — it radiates charm.

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Origin HighHebrew, English

MeaningMy God is an oath; pledged to God — short form of Elizabeth, from Hebrew Elisheba

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 51,564

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Eliza is a short form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheba, composed of El (God) and sheba (oath or promise), meaning 'my God is an oath.' It has been used as a given name since the 18th century.

Eliza was a fashionable independent name in the Victorian era, fell from favor mid-century, and has made a very strong 21st-century revival, now in the U.S. top 100 girls' names.

Did you know? Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl transformed by Professor Higgins in George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion (1913), is one of the most beloved characters in theatrical history.

Variations

ElizabethElisaEliseLiza

Nicknames

LizaLizzieEl

Famous Bearers

★Eliza Doolittle (fictional, 1913)
Protagonist of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion and the musical My Fair Lady — one of the most loved characters in theatre.

If you like Eliza…

Clara— short vintage Latin classic with the same crisp bright revival energy

Alice— Victorian literary name with the same vintage-fresh timeless appeal

Cora— crisp two-syllable vintage name with the same charming period feel

Ivy— short botanical name with the same Victorian-to-modern revival arc

Frequently Asked

What does the name Eliza mean?

Eliza is a short form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning 'my God is an oath' or 'pledged to God.'

How do you pronounce Eliza?

It is said ih-LY-zuh /ɪˈlaɪ.zə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Eliza a boy or girl name?

Eliza is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Eliza?

Eliza has been climbing the U.S. charts and is now among the top 100 girls' names.