If we name our baby boy [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], we will call him [name_m]Eli[/name_m] most of the time. So should we just call him [name_m]Eli[/name_m] instead? We just like the idea of [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] for him to use in formal/professional situations when he is older.
[name_m]Eli[/name_m] can stand on its own perfectly well, but I prefer it as a nickname. I love [name_m]Elijah[/name_m]!
I prefer [name_m]Eli[/name_m]!
There are a lot of Elijahs out there right now, so your [name_m]Eli[/name_m] would be refreshing 
I love the name [name_m]Eli[/name_m] on its own…so handsome!
[name_m]Elijah[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Eli[/name_m]–all are great names! I’d go w/the full-name/nickname combo and let your son decide.
I do prefer [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] as a full name, but if you are going to be calling him [name_m]Eli[/name_m] the majority of the time I would just go with [name_m]Eli[/name_m]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though I love [name_m]Eli[/name_m] as a nickname only, it’s now seen as a perfectly usable standalone name. I just noticed you already have a son named [name_m]Xavier[/name_m]. In my opinion [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] goes better with [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] than [name_m]Eli[/name_m] does.
[name_m]Eli[/name_m] has a sporty, preppy sort of feel about him, so I can see how he’s appealing, but I am really not a fan at all. I mainly think of the Biblical [name_m]Eli[/name_m] (who wasn’t a great namesake at all), and that turns me off straightaway. I love [name_m]Elijah[/name_m], though, and I think [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] and [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] would be great together (ironically, I think [name_m]Xavier[/name_m] and [name_m]Eli[/name_m] seem better together, but I would still opt for [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] nn [name_m]Eli[/name_m], personally…).
Good luck!
I prefer [name_m]Eli[/name_m] as a standalone name. It is a standalone name historically and Biblically. [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] is a separate name, and doesn’t make my top five of Biblical E names for boys.
I don’t like nicknames as names, but I think [name_m]Eli[/name_m] is a name in it’s own right, so perfectly usable as it is.
I prefer [name_m]Elijah[/name_m] (with your nn [name_m]Eli[/name_m]) and I think it goes better with your son’s name