Names › Boys' names › E › Eli
Eli
Meaning: ascended, high · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a boy's name
Origin & history
Hebrew for 'high, ascended'. Eli was the priest who raised the prophet Samuel.
Famous people named Eli
- Eli Whitney (inventor)
- Eli Manning (NFL quarterback)
Nicknames
E
Variants & related names
Ely, Elijah
Eli name art
A free preview of a printable “Eli” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Eli mean?
Eli means “ascended, high”. It comes from Hebrew.
Is Eli a popular name?
Yes — Eli has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Eli?
E.
What are other forms of Eli?
Ely, Elijah.
Similar names
Ezekiel · Jonathan · Jeremiah · Jordan · Jose · Adam
More: names starting with E · all boys' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.