Elis is a unique and distinctive name of Greek origin. It is derived from the Greek word "Eli", which means "my God". The name Elis is often associated with the biblical figure Elijah, who was a prophet in the Hebrew Bible.
The name Elis has been used for centuries, with some variations in spelling and pronunciation across different cultures. In Greece, Elis was traditionally given to boys, while in other countries such as Spain and Portugal, it has been used for both males and females.
Throughout history, several notable figures have carried the name Elis or similar variants. One of the most famous is Elihu Yale, a British merchant and philanthropist who founded Yale University in the United States. Additionally, the Greek city of Elis was named after the river god Eilysios, which is another variant of Elis.
In terms of popular culture, Elis has not been widely used as a character name, perhaps due to its rarity outside of Greece. However, it does appear occasionally in literature and films, such as in the Spanish novel "Elis" by Mercè Rodoreda.
Overall, Elis is an uncommon but memorable name with a strong connection to Greek culture and history. Its meaning, "my God", gives it a profound and reverent tone, making it a suitable choice for parents looking for a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.
The name Elis has a fascinating history when it comes to its usage as a baby name in the United States. While it's not one of the most popular names, it has seen periods of popularity and decline over the past century.
In the early 20th century, there were a few years where Elis was given to more than five newborns annually. The highest number of babies named Elis during this period was eight in 1915. However, for several decades following that peak, the name's popularity dwindled, with fewer than six births each year between 1924 and 1980.
Starting in the late 1980s, there was a resurgence of interest in the name Elis. From 1988 onwards, the number of annual births with this name consistently remained above five, reaching double digits for the first time since the early 1900s in 2013 (with eleven births that year).
The most recent data available shows a continued trend of popularity for Elis. Between 2015 and 2023, there were more than ten births each year, with peaks of fifteen births in both 2021 and 2022. This steady increase over the past few decades suggests that Elis may be well on its way to becoming a popular choice for parents naming their newborns in the United States.
In total, since records began, there have been 260 babies named Elis born in the United States. While this might not seem like an overwhelming number compared to some other names, it's clear that Elis has maintained a consistent presence on baby name lists throughout history and shows no signs of disappearing anytime soon.