Eli
Say it: EE-lye/ˈilaɪ/
BoyMeans usually explained as "ascent"3 letters2 syllables
#207
in Ireland (2025)
#206 with spellings combined
23
babies in 2025
#96
best rank (2019)
897
babies since 1999
Down 84
10-year rank change
Eli through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | #206 |
| 2024 | 36 | #143 |
| 2023 | 53 | #113 |
| 2022 | 44 | #135 |
| 2021 | 64 | #101 |
| 2020 | 51 | #122 |
| 2019 | 72 | #96 |
| 2018 | 48 | #131 |
| 2017 | 61 | #108 |
| 2016 | 66 | #104 |
| 2015 | 56 | #122 |
| 2014 | 52 | #127 |
| 2013 | 48 | #131 |
| 2012 | 45 | #153 |
| 2011 | 41 | #165 |
| 2010 | 32 | #192 |
| 2009 | 28 | #204 |
| 2008 | 12 | #328 |
| 2007 | 9 | #342 |
| 2006 | 13 | #257 |
| 2005 | 6 | #370 |
| 2004 | 8 | #299 |
| 2003 | 7 | #305 |
| 2002 | 8 | #267 |
| 2001 | 7 | #273 |
| 2000 | 4 | #347 |
| 1999 | 3 | #379 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Eli mean?
Usually explained as "ascent"
Hebrew, from the biblical name ʿĒlī; also a short form of Elijah and Elisha.
Say it right
EElye
The story of Eli
Eli comes from the Hebrew Bible. In the Books of Samuel, Eli is the priest at Shiloh who brings up the young Samuel. The Hebrew name, ʿĒlī, is usually explained as “ascent” or “going up”. Eli is also used as a short form of Elijah and Elisha, two other biblical names.
In Ireland, Eli reached the CSO list in 1999 and grew slowly through the 2000s and 2010s. Its best year was 2019, with 72 boys, when it ranked number 92 on the official CSO list.
It has been more popular in Northern Ireland, where it reached number 59 in 2020 and was still number 90 in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Eli (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Eli (name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, Baby Names in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Eli | 23 | 897 |
In Northern Ireland
#90 in 2025 with 26 babies. Best rank #59 (2020); 537 babies since 2002.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.