Eli

Meaning of Eli

It means 'ascended' or 'uplifted.' In some contexts, it can also mean 'my God.'

Eli has Hebrew roots — browse every Hebrew baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Eli

Eli has cooled off, slipping to #104 in 2025, down from a peak of #43 in 2012.

Notable people named Eli

• Eli Manning
  Super Bowl-winning NFL quarterback
• Eli Roth
  Horror film director and actor
• Eli Wallach
  Legendary actor, 'The Good, The Bad and The Ugly'
• Eli Whitney
  Inventor of the cotton gin
• Eli Lilly
  Founder of Eli Lilly and Company

More Hebrew names

Questions about the name Eli

What does the name Eli mean?

Eli means it means 'ascended' or 'uplifted.' in some contexts, it can also mean 'my god.', and it comes from Hebrew origins.

Is Eli a boy's or a girl's name?

Eli is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Eli?

In 2025, Eli ranked #104 for boys, down from #92 the year before.

When was Eli most popular?

Eli peaked at #43 in 2012.