Eli

“Ascent” — Hebrew origin

Boy's name · #104 in the US (2025) · Comeback

Eli has appeared in US records since 1880 — best rank #43 (2012) · 153,495 babies named Eli all-time · 1 in 500 boys born in 2025.

Around the world: #47 in New Zealand (2025) · #64 in Australia (QLD) (2025) · #69 in Canada (2024) · #83 in Australia (VIC) (2025) · #89 in Australia (NSW) (2025).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 51 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Elis

Eli Wallach — American actor (1915–2014)
Eli Whitney — American inventor (1765-1825)
Eli Cohen — Israeli spy (1924–1965)
Eli Roth — American filmmaker and actor
Eli Heckscher — Swedish historian and economist (1879–1952)

In stories & tradition

Eli — Books of Samuel
Eli (Liquid Snake) — Metal Gear
Eli Wallace — Stargate Universe

What Elis become

Among 912 notable people named Eli:

Business leaders appear 2.05× more often than among typical names — e.g. Eli Lilly, American pharmacist, Union Army officer, businessman, philanthropist.

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.