Elai

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Elai

Pronounced eh-LY /ɛˈlaɪ/Medium

Meaning: From Hebrew Ilai/Elai, 'superior, supreme; elevated' (a warrior of David), and/or an Eli echo, 'my God'; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Supreme and devout: Elai is Hebrew for 'superior, supreme' (and an Eli echo). Crisp, soft, and modern.

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Elai

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Origin MediumHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew Ilai/Elai, 'superior, supreme; elevated' (a warrior of David), and/or an Eli echo, 'my God'; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#5679 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births16 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 243

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Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Elai comes from Hebrew Ilai/Elai, 'superior, supreme; elevated' (one of David's thirty mighty warriors), and also echoes Eli, 'my God; ascended' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, soft, popular modern name in Israel (said 'eh-LY').

In the U.S. it appears in Jewish and Israeli families. Rare, superior-supreme at the root, and crisp.

Did you know? Elai (Ilai) means 'superior, supreme; elevated' in Hebrew (one of King David's mighty warriors) — and echoes Eli, 'my God; ascended'; a crisp, popular modern Israeli name.

Overall data confidence 60%

References — Ilai — routes layered

Variations

IlaiIlayEli

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Elai…

Ilai— the standard spelling

Eli— a name it echoes

Itai— a fellow modern Israeli name

Alon— another modern Hebrew boys' name

Explore names like Elai

By themeuncertain hebrew warrior

By meaningGod / Divine Warrior

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elai mean?

Elai is Hebrew for 'superior, supreme; elevated', and echoes Eli ('my God'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Elai?

It's said eh-LY /ɛˈlaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Elai a boy or girl name?

Elai is a boy's name.

How popular is Elai?

Elai is a rare name in the U.S.