Is Eli an actual name?

[BarbieLovesKen]

or is it a nickname for Elijah/ Elias etc.. ?

I really like Eli but dont think it, in itself, is an actual full name. I heard something on here recently that stated otherwise (cant remember which thread)

Yes Eli is a 'proper' name. It's a common Hebrew name apparently. It's also Biblical. Eli trained the young prophet Samuel.

I like it and always thought it was a real name but imagined it was spelt Ely.

I do accept, though, that that is probably just me

Ely is a place in Cambridgeshire

Yes, it was my grandfather's name. You can say it ee-lie or eh-lee, with the stress on the second syllable, as in his case. He was Egyptian (Jewish), though, so that pronunciation probably wouldn't work so well here.

or is it Suffolk?????

Thanks The Visitor if it is a place that must be wher I have seen it

Yes, it's a Biblical name. I like it - it's nice, simple, traditional and not overused.

I love Eli. I know a few, think it's gunna be popular 2011/2012 lots of little Eli's! Lovely name!

It is a lovely name. DD was at school with a boy who spelled it Illai (he was from Israel) or Illay.

It's my grandfather's name, in his case pronounced eh-lee and short for Eliahu, which he hates.

I know two, definitely a proper name. They pronounce it Eee-lie (well, neither of them can talk yet, but their parents do). Its a great name IMO, a little unusual, but completely easy to spell and - in the way of biblical names - works across a lot of languages/countries.

Its a lovely name a friend o fmine has an Eli he is 11 now and I have loved it since the first time I heard it said.

Ooh, this is one of my faves! Is it going on your list, Barbie?

i've only ever heard it as a diminutive of Elijah, Elias etc etc

Eli is our traditional family name, supposedly given to the eldest boy, has been for at least a hundred years. If we'd had a boy we were going to call him Elijah.

There's definitely an Eli in the Bible, though thisisyesterday (though maybe his mum & dad were just early adopters of the trend for shortenings as given names?)

yes its a real name .. there are records of eli's throughout history .. its a great name!

I know an Ilja.

It's my Great Grandfather's name, he was born is Russia but is Jewish which is why I think he was given this name- it's traditionally a Hebrew name.

He spelt it Ely, but maybe this is to do with being Russian and the language/spelling differences. He always complained when he read Eli, preferring his own spelling.

Eli is a bit like Theo i.e. they both mean 'God'.... which would put me off personally.

In the New Testament Jesus' words at the crucifixion are recorded as 'Eli, Eli lama sabacthani' (meaning 'My God, My God why have you forsaken me?').