When you think of the name Eli,

[Anonymous]

I only know 2 Eli's. One is Hispanic and the other is black, and I'm assuming neither is Jewish. I don't associate it with anything. I can understand not picking a name which is overwhelmingly attributed to a race/religion/ethnicity (and which you're not). But I don't put Eli in that category.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I think Jewish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My southern, jewish mil gave her son an irish name because she loved irish names at the time. it is totally the wrong name for her southern, jewish son. it just doesn't fit him.

Of all the MIL stories that I have ever heard, this has to be a classic

I knew a girl called Heli, it is a shortened version of Helen, Helena. Greek origin.
I had not known that Eli was a boys name until this board came along.

How is this possible? I have never heard a female Eli. Are you pronouncing it in your head correctly? EE-Ligh.

I know a woman nicknamed Eli (full name Elizabeth).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My southern, jewish mil gave her son an irish name because she loved irish names at the time. it is totally the wrong name for her southern, jewish son. it just doesn't fit him.

Of all the MIL stories that I have ever heard, this has to be a classic

I knew a girl called Heli, it is a shortened version of Helen, Helena. Greek origin.
I had not known that Eli was a boys name until this board came along.

How is this possible? I have never heard a female Eli. Are you pronouncing it in your head correctly? EE-Ligh.

Agree with this. Most of the female Eli's that I know - it's pronounced eh-leee and is usually short form of a longer name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So funny. This was my post....like 2 years ago people! I never named him Eli, but I still like the name.

care to share what name you chose?

[Anonymous]

I love this name and if we had a son I would have wanted to name him Eli. (However, my husband hates Eli Manning and would have protested it.)

We are Jewish which might be why I like the name. Go with what you like and don't worry what people will think. (especially if your last name isn't remotely Jewish sounding)

[Anonymous]

Eli... Only think Manning. Sure hope the NFL dispute gets settled...

[Anonymous]

His name is Reid.

[Anonymous]

I can think of two Elijahs I know personally; one is Jewish and one is African American. FWIW, I'm Jewish, and I don't think OP's question was anti-semitic.

My hubby is half Irish and half Italian, and his last name (which we planned to give our kids) is Irish. For that reason, I purposely didn't want to chose Irish first names. My reasoning was that kids who are 1/4 Irish don't need Irish first AND last names. We gave them first names that can be "read" as Jewish, but have definitely been used by people from all racial/ethnic/religious backgrounds. (We toyed with picking Italian middle names, but just ended up picking some short, "generic" names that we liked.)

I think it's all about personal preference.

[Anonymous]

I do think Jewish, but we are Catholic and I used a common old testament name for DS. We do sometimes now get asked if we are Jewish, despite a very Irish last name and DH having a distinctly Christian first name. I don't mind it, but it is something to consider if the assumption will bother you. I was quite surprised the first time someone asked me if we were Jewish after he was born.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Jewish.