Is Ely a boy's or girl's name?

Ely is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 600 recorded births.

When was Ely most popular?

Ely reached its peak popularity in 2009 with 159 births that year. It is currently ranked #3054 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Ely?

Ely is currently ranked #3054 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 4,422 babies since 1880.

Ely

A Hebrew name gently fading from the charts.

Boy's name| Also girlsHebrewDeclining Also a pet name

#3054▼ 279in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A cathedral city and civil parish (served by City of Ely Council) in East Cambridgeshire district, Cambridgeshire, England.

Ely is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a variant of Eli meaning 'ascended' or 'high.' It also evokes the medieval English city of Ely in Cambridgeshire, with its magnificent Norman cathedral rising dramatically from the flat Fenland.

Brief and distinguished, Ely has the quiet confidence of a name that doesn't need extra syllables to make its mark.

Compare Ely with another name

Popularity Over Time

Ely was #1105 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #3054, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Ely
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	221	#2847	▼
2010s	1,079	#1572	▼
2000s	1,254	#1260	▲
1990s	484	#1860	▲
1980s	352	#1763	▲
1970s	224	#2108	▲
1960s	74	#2933	▼
1950s	84	#2995	—
1940s	84	#2788	—
1930s	90	#2697	▼
1920s	170	#2032	—
1910s	187	#1404	▲
1900s	34	#1184	▼
1890s	43	#909	▲
1880s	42	#832	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(130 years, 1880–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Ely
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	40	#3054	-6 (-13.0%)
2023	46	#2775	+7 (17.9%)
2022	39	#3113	-9 (-18.8%)
2021	48	#2663	0
2020	48	#2631	-23 (-32.4%)
2019	71	#2050	-4 (-5.3%)
2018	75	#1963	+2 (2.7%)
2017	73	#1961	-32 (-30.5%)
2016	105	#1565	-4 (-3.7%)
2015	109	#1516	+5 (4.8%)
2014	104	#1540	-19 (-15.4%)
2013	123	#1372	-9 (-6.8%)
2012	132	#1305	-18 (-12.0%)
2011	150	#1181	+13 (9.5%)
2010	137	#1271	-22 (-13.8%)
2009	159	#1149	+6 (3.9%)
2008	153	#1171	+7 (4.8%)
2007	146	#1208	+4 (2.8%)
2006	142	#1188	-10 (-6.6%)
2005	152	#1085	+9 (6.3%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Ely as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Ely has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 600 births since 1918.

#4677

Current rank

600

Total births

2022

Peak year

Compare Ely as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Ely be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Ely is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #3054. As a girl's name, it ranks #4677.

Ely has two lives

Ely, the baby name

#3054boys

4,422 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology

Ely