The Baby Name Wizard

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Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Eli!

Comments and insights on the name Eli: | Edit

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Personal experiences with the name Eli: | Edit

My younger son is named Eli, and we've gotten lots of compliments on his name. (He's 2 1/2.) We chose it because it's a family name (well, Elia, the Arabic version, is), but it does seem to be getting a lot more puopular! I know several little Elis now, though some are nicknames for Elijah. I love it because it's traditional and very strong-sounding. An Eli sounds like he could grow up to be anything from a CEO to a sports star!

Nicknames for Eli: | Edit

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Meanings and history of the name Eli: | Edit

In African pronounced EH-LEE and it means; high, ascended. It is is common as a female name in West and South Africa.

Famous real-life people named Eli: | Edit

Eli Lilly was a chemist who founded the multi-national pharmaceutical company that bears his name.
Eli Manning is an American football player born in 1981.
Eli Roth is a famous director, writer, actor, and producer. Credits include Cabin Fever, Hostel(2) and Inglorious Basterds
Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin.

Eli in song, story & screen: | Edit

Eli James, a supporting character in the CBS television show, Ghost Whisperer.
"Eli, the Barrow Boy", song by the Decemberists
"Eli's Coming", song by Three Dog Night
"Eli Stone", television show starring Johnny Lee Miller.
"The Book of Eli", movie starring Denzel Washington
Eli is a main charactor in Sarah Dessen's Along For Ride book.
Eli Loker, supporting character in the Fox television show Lie to Me.