Eli

♀ Girl

Pronounced EE-lee /ˈi.li/High

Meaning: Short form of Elizabeth, Eliana, Elena, and other El- names — the El- element meaning 'my God' in HebrewMedium

In 30 seconds: The El- family's pocket version, for daughters: Eli pets Elizabeth, Eliana, and Elena — all carrying Hebrew's 'my God'. Spanish-speaking girls especially claim the breezy short form.

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Origin MediumHebrew, American

MeaningShort form of Elizabeth, Eliana, Elena, and other El- names — the El- element meaning 'my God' in Hebrew

U.S. rank (2025)#4099 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births35 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,017

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

Eli as a girls' name is a short form of the El- constellation — Elizabeth ('my God is an oath'), Eliana ('my God has answered'), Elena — the Hebrew el, 'God', glowing in each. While Eli is a boys' biblical name (the priest who raised Samuel), the feminine nickname thrives in Latino and international use.

It registers modestly for girls in U.S. records, riding the El- name boom. Rare standalone, common nickname, divine at the root.

Did you know? In Spanish-speaking countries, Eli is a common girls' nickname for Elizabeth and Eliana — the same three letters that serve as a boys' biblical name in English work cross-gender across cultures.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name — Eli — short-form background

Variations

EllieElieEli

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Eli…

Ellie— the fellow El- short form for girls

Eliana— a name Eli often shortens

Elena— another El- classic behind the nickname

Elia— the vowel-soft sister form

Explore names like Eli

By themehebrew nickname-name international

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Eli mean?

As a girls' name Eli is a short form of Elizabeth, Eliana, and other El- names — the El- meaning 'my God' in Hebrew.

How do you pronounce Eli?

For girls it's often said EE-lee /ˈi.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first; the boys' name is EE-lye.

Is Eli a boy or girl name?

Eli is mostly a boy's biblical name; this page covers its use as a girls' short form, common in Spanish-speaking families.

How popular is Eli?

Eli is rare as a standalone girls' name in the U.S. and common as a nickname.