Eli is a male given name that originates from the Hebrew word meaning "ascension", derived from the root ʿala meaning "to ascend". The name is borne by a prominent figure in the Old Testament of the Bible. In the Books of Samuel, Eli serves as a high priest of the Israelites and plays a crucial role as a mentor to the young prophet Samuel. According to 1 Samuel 3, God speaks to Samuel while he is under Eli's guidance, and Eli helps interpret the divine message. However, because of the wickedness of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phinehas, God curses Eli's lineage so that none of his descendants will reach old age (1 Samuel 2:27–36). The name Eli became popular as an English Christian given name after the Protestant Reformation, when Old Testament names saw increased usage. It has remained well-used in English-speaking countries, partly due to its short, strong sound. The most notable secular bearer is Eli Whitney (1765–1825), the American inventor of the cotton gin, which revolutionized cotton production in the Southern United States. Eli has several variant forms, including the spelling Ely in English, and cross-cultural forms such as Heli in Biblical Latin and Eeli in Finnish. The name has consistently ranked in the top 100 boys' names in the United States in past decades. Key facts about the name Eli: Meaning: "Ascension" or "high" from Hebrew ʿala (to ascend) Origin: Hebrew, via the Old Testament Other languages: Heli (Latin), Eeli (Finnish) Notable bearer: Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin