Surname Eli - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Eli: What does the surname Eli mean?
The last name Eli is of Hebrew origin and it primarily means “my God” or “high”. It is derived from the Hebrew name 'Eliyahu', which is composed of two elements: El, meaning "God," and yahu, meaning "Yahweh," the Jewish God. This surname was also commonly used among early Christians as a given name, referring to the high priest of Shiloh who cared for the prophet Samuel in the Old Testament. In Christianity, Eli is known as a person who, despite his faults, was dedicated to God and his duties. The surname Eli can be found among people of different cultures, but its roots are essentially religious and it maintains its original meaning in most contexts. It's interesting to note that this surname also has unrelated origins, like in Turkish, where "Eli" means "hands". However, in the majority of the world where this surname exists, it is likely linked to its Hebrew origins and connotations.
Order DNA origin analysisEli: Where does the name Eli come from?
The surname Eli is of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name 'Eliyahu' which translates to 'My God is Jehovah.' It was often used in ancient times by Jewish people. The name gained popularity in the medieval period and was used widely among Christians as well.
Today, the surname Eli is relatively rare and can be found scattered across the globe. However, it is most commonly observed in the United States, followed by Nigeria. It is also prevalent in Israel due to its Hebrew origins. Other countries where this surname occurs include Brazil, Mexico, and Turkey. Even within these countries, it is not a common surname.
Interestingly, Eli may not only be used as a surname but also as a personal name in many societies. For example, in English and Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in the Nordic countries, Eli is often used as a given name for both men and women. Additionally, in the Jewish tradition, Eli is a common male first name. Despite these variations in usage, as a surname, Eli's prevalence remains quite limited worldwide.
Variations of the surname Eli
The surname Eli could have a number of different origins. It is a common name in several different cultures, including Jewish and American. Given this, it can be spelled in a number of different ways and will have several related surnames.
Variations of the surname can include Ely, Ellie, Elie, Ele, Elee, Elii, Eloi, and Elly. Some of these variations may be due to linguistic differences or regional pronunciations. For example, the French variant is often spelled "Elie," while in English-speaking countries it might be spelled "Ely".
There are also several surnames that might be considered of the same origin to Eli. For instance, Elias is a Greek form of Eli, while Elijah is a longer form of the same name. Eliot and Elliot are associated surnames with Old Testament origin like Eli.
These names all carry the meaning of "my God is Yahweh" or "Jehovah is God" from the Hebrew origin of the surname. Additionally, as is the case with many names, over time and with cultural diffusion, Eli has been adopted as a first name as well as a surname in many cultures.
Famous people with the name Eli
- Eli Manning: An American football quarterbacks who is a two-time Super Bowl MVP, having won Super Bowls XLII and XLVI with the New York Giants.
- Eli Wallach: An American actor who was a major film, television and stage actor whose career spanned more than six decades, beginning in the late 1940s.
- Eli Roth: An American film director, producer, writer, and actor. He is known for his successful horror films, such as The Green Inferno, Hostel and Knock Knock.
- Eli Broad: An American entrepreneur and philanthropist who is well-known for pioneering the “two-and-twenty” compensation structure in the executive compensation world.
- Eli Drake: An American professional wrestler who is best known for competing in Impact Wrestling.
- Eli shoulders: An American gospel singer-songwriter and pastor of the Christian faith, often credited as a pioneer of Contemporary Christian Music.
- Eli Apple: An American football cornerback who currently plays for the Las Vegas Raiders.
- Eli Gershkovitch: A Canadian entrepreneur who is the founder and CEO of Steamworks Group, a craft brewery, restaurant, and live music venue in Vancouver, British Columbia.
- Eli Avidar: An Israeli businessman and former politician who served as Israel’s Minister of Economy and Industry from 2008 to 2011.
- Eli Lieb: An American singer-songwriter and musician who is best known for his LGBT-themed albums, YouTube hits, and collaborations with other artists.