Cons of the name Eli

Hi [name_u]Berry[/name_u] friends,

I am researching the name [name_u]Eli[/name_u] for a baby boy. I love the pronounction, sounding and the spelling very much, but I am afraid it get mixed up with a girl name or it get pronounced Similar to [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] Or similar to y sound in [name_f]Emily[/name_f].
Could [name_f]English[/name_f] speakers help me out understand the cons of this name?
When I search the internet I see a lot of woman on social media or linkedin with the name [name_u]Eli[/name_u]!
Please help! Could I go wrong with nameing my boy [name_u]Eli[/name_u]? Is it known enough to be pronounced correctly: E-lie? Could it be mixed with a woman name?

I’m from the UK and I have only ever heard [name_u]Eli[/name_u] pronounced ee-lie. The female nickname over here is usually spelled [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and has a completely different pronunciation (eh-lee). I think [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is common enough as a boys name that it wouldn’t be confusing for most people!

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Although they are visually similar, it sounds nothing like [name_f]Ellie[/name_f], so it’s perfectly fine. [name_u]Eli[/name_u]’s a pretty common name, so most people know how to pronounce it.

I think [name_u]Eli[/name_u] and [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] are familiar and in use enough that [name_u]Eli[/name_u] could totally work

I like [name_u]Eli[/name_u] a lot and it totally works for a boy. I don’t think people will mix it up with [name_f]Ellie[/name_f].

I know a few [name_u]Eli[/name_u]'s and they have never had a problem as far as I know! It seems pretty intuitive to me! (I’m in the us btw)

I love [name_u]Eli[/name_u]! I live in the U.S. and have only ever heard it used on boys and pronounced ee-lie. I’ve mostly heard it as a nickname for [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] but I actually prefer it on its own. I think it sounds different enough from [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] (and is established enough in its own right) that the two wouldn’t be confused!

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Thank you For the feedback. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you consider it as a religious name?

Eli has strong Biblical roots, but is still recognizable in the general name population, like [name_u]Michael[/name_u] or [name_m]Daniel[/name_m] but not quite as popular.

I know a few boys names [name_u]Eli[/name_u] that are either [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] or just plain [name_u]Eli[/name_u]. I think in the UK people will almost always get [name_u]Eli[/name_u] (ee-lie) absolutely right as it’s just a very normal name I think.

In the US I would secretly hope that [name_u]Eli[/name_u] [name_m]Manning[/name_m] has probably helped people take that as a normal name and helped with pronunciation (even if his full first name isn’t [name_u]Eli[/name_u])

And whenever I see the name Eli I always assume it’s a male, haven’t come across anyone that goes by Ellie that spells it Elie

Are you in the US? [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is very popular and I don’t think it’s confusing for people to pronounce. It’s a great name!

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Yes I am but, when I search the name [name_u]Eli[/name_u] on social media accounts I see a lot of Woman. That go by the name [name_u]Eli[/name_u] with Exact same spelling: ELI!

Huh that’s weird! I’ve never heard of any, only lots of Ellies.

I’ve never met a girl named [name_u]Eli[/name_u]. [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is my brothers name and it has never been mispronounced before. I guess if you’re really worried about it than you can name him [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] and he can go my [name_u]Eli[/name_u].

Eli has never been mistaken for [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] where I live ([name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u]). The biggest con is that every [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is asked, “what’s your full name?” Because it’s usually short for [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], Eliason, or Eliwen.

Eli’s common enough that I don’t think there’d be any confusion with spelling or pronunciation.

Ive only ever known men with this name and it’s always been pronounced “ee-LIE”. This name is very common as a nickname for [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] and a stand-alone name. While they’re are some “[name_f]Ellie[/name_f]’s” out there spelled like [name_u]Eli[/name_u], the male name is far more common. Similarly to Allies who use the [name_u]Ali[/name_u] spelling. [name_u]Ali[/name_u] is still “ah-LEE” but for some reason people try to make [name_u]Eli[/name_u] into [name_f]Ellie[/name_f] and [name_u]Ali[/name_u] into [name_u]Allie[/name_u], but it’s not as often as you think!

Love [name_u]Eli[/name_u]
One of my very favourite boy names

I think a lot of doctor offices (and other settings where official names are needed) will ask you what his full name is. As other members have said, [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is a common nickname. But I don’t think this is necessarily a “con” for the name, just something to prepare yourself for saying constantly - “No, [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is his full name.”

I knew a girl named [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], which is often short for [name_f]Margret[/name_f] - She and her parents were constantly asked for her “full name.”

I think it’s very unlikely to be mixed up with a female name.

So if you love it, go for it!