Is Eli short for anything?
Yes, usually. In old records Eli mostly appears as a pet form of Elijah, though plenty of families gave it as a name in its own right. Less often it stands in for Elias, Elisha, and Eliezer, among others. Expect it in American and British records, mostly 1600s-1900s. When a census shows Eli, check the family's other papers for a Elijah before you decide which reading you have.
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FAQs
Is Eli a nickname?+
Usually. Most records that say Eli trace back to a Elijah, but some families used it as the full given name.
Is Eli a real name on its own?+
Yes - it also appears as a standalone given name, especially in later eras. Earlier records lean toward Elijah.
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