Eli
Every Eli since 1880 — 154,512 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Eli
Eli is moderately common for boys in the United States, ranked #104 in 2025 with 3,418 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 154,512 American babies have been named Eli. Its peak came in 2012, when 8,110 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Eli stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Eli year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 | #4,099 | 3,418 | #104 |
| 2024 | 44 | #3,530 | 3,742 | #92 |
| 2023 | 29 | #4,678 | 4,111 | #79 |
| 2022 | 41 | #3,723 | 4,704 | #69 |
| 2021 | 29 | #4,652 | 4,913 | #64 |
| 2020 | 29 | #4,576 | 5,281 | #60 |
| 2019 | 33 | #4,274 | 5,539 | #62 |
| 2018 | 38 | #3,873 | 6,094 | #57 |
| 2017 | 23 | #5,556 | 6,637 | #54 |
| 2016 | 33 | #4,369 | 7,132 | #50 |
| 2015 | 27 | #5,023 | 7,163 | #53 |
| 2014 | 22 | #5,850 | 7,513 | #49 |
| 2013 | 36 | #4,096 | 7,952 | #43 |
| 2012 | 31 | #4,634 | 8,079 | #43 |
| 2011 | 39 | #3,862 | 7,220 | #58 |
| 2010 | 31 | #4,643 | 6,571 | #65 |
| 2009 | 30 | #4,844 | 4,923 | #90 |
| 2008 | 20 | #6,631 | 4,526 | #99 |
| 2007 | 20 | #6,636 | 3,253 | #129 |
| 2006 | 22 | #5,980 | 2,997 | #136 |
| 2005 | 18 | #6,622 | 2,699 | #152 |
| 2004 | 42 | #3,513 | 2,557 | #156 |
| 2003 | 16 | #6,977 | 1,995 | #190 |
| 2002 | 18 | #6,220 | 1,953 | #194 |
| 2001 | 21 | #5,424 | 1,644 | #213 |
| 2000 | 9 | #10,140 | 1,496 | #228 |
| 1995 | 16 | #5,756 | 864 | #304 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,521 | 667 | #359 |
| 1985 | 10 | #6,592 | 558 | #342 |
| 1980 | 9 | #6,946 | 539 | #342 |
| 1975 | — | — | 338 | #426 |
| 1970 | — | — | 232 | #530 |
| 1965 | — | — | 117 | #689 |
| 1960 | 5 | #6,636 | 149 | #639 |
| 1955 | — | — | 119 | #671 |
| 1950 | — | — | 139 | #575 |
| 1945 | — | — | 125 | #536 |
| 1940 | — | — | 140 | #492 |
| 1935 | — | — | 175 | #419 |
| 1930 | — | — | 190 | #430 |
| 1925 | — | — | 291 | #341 |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,095 | 253 | #376 |
| 1915 | — | — | 269 | #317 |
| 1910 | — | — | 63 | #312 |
| 1905 | — | — | 43 | #308 |
| 1900 | — | — | 45 | #316 |
| 1895 | — | — | 55 | #239 |
| 1890 | — | — | 49 | #239 |
| 1885 | — | — | 56 | #214 |
| 1880 | — | — | 73 | #177 |
Famous people named Eli
- Eli Wallach Actor · 1915–2014
- Eli Cohen Military personnel · 1924–1965
- Eli Religious figure · b. -1128
- Eli Heckscher Economist · 1879–1952
- Eli Whitney Inventor · 1765–1825
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Eli in 2025?
Eli ranked #104 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 3,418 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Eli?
154,512 babies have been named Eli in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Eli most popular?
Eli peaked in 2012, when 8,110 newborns received the name.
Is Eli a boy or girl name?
Eli is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Eli rising or falling?
Eli is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Eli?
Well-known people named Eli include Eli Wallach (actor), Eli Cohen (military personnel), Eli (religious figure).