Given name & surname
Elli
“God is my oath”·“from a foreign land”·“shining light”
In German use, Elli is a diminutive of Elisabeth. One interpretation is “God is my oath.” Elli is a variant of Ella. One German interpretation is “from a foreign land.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
In German use, Elli is a diminutive of Elisabeth. One interpretation is “God is my oath.” Elli is a variant of Ella. One German interpretation is “from a foreign land.” Elli is a variant of Eleanor. Eleanor is sometimes interpreted through Helen as “shining light,” but the connection to Helen is disputed. Another proposed explanation starts with a Germanic element ali, “other” or “foreign.” Neither proposal supplies a securely established full meaning. In German use, Elli is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. “God is my oath” is the etymological interpretation given for Elisabeth, the same name in a different spelling. “My God is bountiful” is another recorded interpretation, but the two should be kept distinct rather than blended into one literal translation.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Elli is a variant of Ella. An origin associated with Ella is Germanic. Elli is a variant of Eleanor. Eleanor reached English through an Old French reshaping of the Old Provençal name Alienor. Eleanor’s deeper linguistic origin is uncertain, despite the well-documented medieval route into England. In German use, Elli is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the usual English spelling of Elisabeth. The related biblical forms connect it with the Hebrew name Elisheba, borne by Aaron’s wife.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In German use, Elli is used as an affectionate form of Elisabeth. Elli is a variant of Eleanor. The shared background comes through Eleanor: The clearest sequence is Alienor into an Old French form and then English Eleanor. Beyond that, the suggested Helen connection competes with a possible Germanic origin; similarity to a familiar name is not enough to resolve the question. In German use, Elli is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The shared background comes through Elizabeth: English generally uses Elizabeth with a z, where many European languages retain Elisabeth with an s. Elisabeth is connected with Elisheba; its final element may have been reshaped through association with Hebrew shabbath, “sabbath.”
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1955. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. Elli is a variant of Eleanor. The history of Eleanor gives this family its wider story. Eleanor of Aquitaine, who married Henry II, brought the name from southwestern France to England in the twelfth century. Eleanor of Provence married Henry III, and Eleanor of Castile married Edward I. This succession of royal bearers gives the name a concrete English history independent of the debate over its meaning. In German use, Elli is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. The history of Elizabeth gives this family its wider story. The New Testament Elisabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. English royal associations include Elizabeth I and, in the twentieth century, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon and her daughter Elizabeth II. Elizabeth’s familiar forms developed along several paths, including Eliza, Beth, Bess, Betty, Libby and Lizzie.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Elli through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 2,798
- 35 boys · 2,763 girls
- Most popular year
- 2014
- 121 babies
- 2025
- 56
- #2,966 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −25%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 56 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,966 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 22.4% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 121 in 2014. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (6). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 3,262 as a first name in 2020; 278 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Elli’s family of names
Elli is an affectionate form of Elizabeth. Elli has a related form in Ella. Elli has a related form in Eleanor.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 20
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Elli
- Elli AvrRamSwedish actressborn 1990
- Elli MedeirosFrench-Uruguayan singer and actressborn 1956
- Elli KokkinouGreek singer (born 1970)
- Nelly'sGreek photographer (1899-1998)
- Elli AlexiouGreek author, playwright and journalist (1894–1988)
- Elli SchmidtEast German politician (1908-1980)
- Elli OchowiczAmerican speed skaterborn 1983
- Elli PikkujämsäFinnish footballer and snowboarderborn 1999
- Elli ErlGerman singerborn 1979
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Elli, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Elise
“my God is bountiful” · “God is my oath”
>99% girls
Betsi
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls
Lizzy
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls
Sady
“princess; lady”
>99% girls
Sadie
“princess; lady” · “princess”
>99% girls
Isabel
“my God is bountiful” · “a giving woran”
>99% girls
Elsy
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls
Erzsi
“God is my oath” · “My God is bountiful”
>99% girls