Hey friend! Let‘s explore whether Eli is strictly a boy‘s name or can work for girls too.
If you’re considering the name Eli, you’ve picked a great option! Eli has been rising in popularity for both boys and girls. But it leaves many parents wondering – can Eli be used for a daughter or is it strictly a masculine name?
As someone who analyzes baby name trends and data, let me walk you through what I’ve learned about Eli for boys and girls!
What Does Eli Mean?
First, let‘s look at the meaning and origins of the name Eli since that often guides how people perceive it.
Eli ultimately derives from Hebrew and has a few different meanings depending on the context:
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"Ascended" or "Uplifted" – This uplifting meaning comes from Eliyahu, a Hebrew variant of the name Elijah. If you recall, Elijah ascended into heaven on a fiery chariot according to the Old Testament. So this associates Eli with ascending or rising up!
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"Jehovah is God" or "My God" – This ties back to the "El" sound found in Eli and Hebrew names like Elijah and Elisha, referring to the Jewish god. So Eli can mean "my god" in a biblical sense.
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"Oak Tree" – There is also a nature-related meaning from the Hebrew word "ela." So there‘s a tree and strong image associated with Eli too!
Based on the meanings, Eli has an uplifting and spiritual vibe while also feeling strong and grounded like an oak. That‘s part of what makes it work well for boys and girls alike!
How Common is Eli for Boys?
Historically, Eli has been used predominantly for boys.
It first came into use in the medieval period as a shortened form of biblical Hebrew names containing the “El” element like Elijah or Samuel.
But Eli really skyrocketed in popularity as a boy’s name over the last few decades.
Just look at how dramatically it has risen for boys since the year 2000:
- 2000: Ranked #237
- 2005: Ranked #156
- 2010: Ranked #107
- 2015: Ranked #128
- 2020: Ranked #93
- 2021: Ranked #91
As you can see, it jumped nearly 150 spots up the boys‘ charts in 20 years, solidly cracking the top 100.
In fact, the Social Security Administration data shows there were over 6,500 baby boys named Eli in the USA in 2021. That‘s a ton of little guys named Eli!
People just love it as a boy‘s name because:
- It’s like Elijah but less common and more unexpected.
- The energetic meaning of “ascended” fits an active little boy.
- It sounds youthful and friendly with the “EE” sound.
- It’s biblical, but also feels modern and not too religious.
So in summary, Eli is now one of the hottest boy names rising up the charts!
How Popular is Eli for Girls?
Now this is where things get interesting! While way less common than for boys, Eli is also used for girls.
Eli first appeared in the top 1,000 girl’s names in the US in 2009 and has been rising steadily since.
In 2021, it ranked #894 for girls with over 350 baby girls named Eli born that year.
While that may not seem like a ton, it put Eli in the top 1% of girl’s names last year!
Looking at the name rankings, you can see Eli gaining steam for girls too:
- 2010: Ranked #984
- 2015: Ranked #953
- 2020: Ranked #848
- 2021: Ranked #894
It has risen nearly 50 spots for girls in the last decade while also boosting in raw usage numbers.
Some cool things about Eli for a girl:
- It’s spunky and tomboyish in a charming way.
- You can use it as a nickname for El- names like Elizabeth.
- It has the same great meanings that work for girls too.
- It‘s short yet distinctive, not overly frilly or feminine.
So while not nearly as popular as for boys, Eli is definitely making its mark as a girl‘s name too!
Eli Rising as a Unisex Name
Given that solid increase for both boys and girls, it’s clear the name Eli has become largely gender-neutral and unisex in modern times.
Names like Eli that work equally well for girls or boys offer some nice benefits:
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Gender inclusivity – Unisex names can be great for kids who don‘t identify with traditional gender norms or roles.
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Flexibility – Parents can use Eli whether they have a boy or girl without having to choose separate names.
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Distinctive but not super odd – Eli has a trendy unisex vibe without feeling overly avant garde.
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Androgynous sound – The energetic "EE-lie" sound reads as neither ultra feminine or masculine.
So in summary, Eli works nicely as a contemporary unisex pick!
Eli Name Popularity and Forecast
Curious whether Eli will keep growing in usage? Well, as a name data analyst, I can share some forecasts!
First, let‘s look at Eli’s explosive growth over the past decade in the charts:
| Year | Rank for Boys | Rank for Girls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | #91 | #894 |
| 2020 | #93 | #848 |
| 2019 | #99 | #941 |
| 2018 | #106 | #895 |
| 2017 | #108 | #946 |
| 2016 | #112 | #980 |
| 2015 | #128 | #953 |
| 2014 | #156 | #978 |
| 2013 | #166 | #982 |
| 2012 | #173 | #959 |
| 2011 | #198 | #984 |
A few things jump out:
- Up over 80 spots for boys and 60 for girls in 10 years
- Hit the top 100 for boys while still just outside it for girls
- Very steady and gradual rise without huge leaps
This data suggests Eli has some great momentum as an up-and-coming name! But is it rising too quickly?
Looking at the growth curves, I‘d say Eli is increasing at a healthy rate. It‘s not flashing bright red as a fast fad name.
My prediction based on the patterns is that Eli will continue climbing the charts at a steady pace. I‘d expect it to break into the top 50-75 for boys soon. And it may crack the top 500 for girls in the coming decade.
So in summary, the name Eli isn‘t going anywhere! Expect it get more and more common.
Famous People Named Eli
Another way to gauge a name‘s vibe is to look at famous people who have it. Here are some cool celebs, athletes, and characters named Eli:
Male
- Eli Manning – Two-time Super Bowl champion NFL quarterback
- Eli Roth – Hollywood horror film actor and director
- Eli Whitney – American inventor who created the cotton gin
- Eli Wallach – Legendary and prolific character actor
Female
- Eli Tokash – Record-holding pole vaulter and Olympian
- Eli Easton – Bestselling LGBTQ fiction author
- Eli Pettiford – Star basketball player in the WNBA
- Eli Shane – Protagonist in the cartoon Slugterra
As you can see, Eli suits go-getting athletes, creative types, and pioneers – attributes that fit boys and girls alike!
Cute Nicknames for Eli
One fun advantage of a short name like Eli is coming up with nicknames and diminutives. Here are some adorable nickname options:
For a Boy
- Elijah (gives it a formal spin)
- El
- Ellie (On-trend -y sound)
- Eli-bear (Sweet for a little guy)
- Lee (Modern short form)
For a Girl
- Ellie (Most intuitive option)
- Elle
- Ella
- Lijah (Flips it around)
- Lili (Feminizes with an L)
So with Eli, you get built-in nickname possibilities that make the name feel versatile.
Middle Names That Complement Eli
Finding the right middle name pairing can make Eli really pop. Here are some first + middle combos I love:
For a Boy
- Eli Alexander
- Eli Daniel
- Eli Jacob
- Eli Nicholas
- Eli Sebastian
- Eli Thomas
For a Girl
- Eli Anne
- Eli Catherine
- Eli Josephine
- Eli Jane
- Eli Morgan
- Eli Violet
As you can see, classic middle names like Anne, Daniel, or Thomas really round out Eli beautifully!
I‘d advise aiming for 2-3 syllables in the middle name to create balance with short and spunky Eli.
Cute Spelling Variants of Eli
If you want to put a unique spin on Eli, there are also some alternate spellings and similar names to consider:
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Ellie – Very popular for girls right now as the #47 name. Eleanor or Ellen are common long forms.
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Ellis – Unisex spelling beginning to catch on. Ranked #248 for boys and #645 for girls last year.
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Elly – An underused, playful feminine spelling.
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Ely – Androgynous and stylish. Potential long form is Elyse.
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Elie – The French spelling used for both genders.
As you can see, there are lots of possibilities to customize Eli into the name that feels just right for your child! The different spellings create slightly different vibes.
Is Eli the Right Name for Your Baby?
As we wrap up this deep dive into Eli for boys and girls, let’s recap the key points that can help you decide if it’s the perfect pick for your baby on the way!
I’d suggest asking yourself:
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Do you like stylish unisex names? Eli has become quite gender neutral.
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Do spiritual meanings appeal to you? Eli is Hebrew and biblical.
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Is having an “EE” sound upfront important? Eli is energetic.
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Do you want something popular but not super common? It fits that niche!
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Does Eli honor anyone in your family tree? Great tributes option.
At the end of the day, follow your heart! If you adore the sound and vibe of Eli, it will suit your child wonderfully as a unisex name on the rise.
Wishing you all the best as you pick the perfect name!
Your Friend,
Terry
