אלעאי
The meaning of Elai is uncertain
The meaning of Elai is uncertain; perhaps exalted (Aramaic).
Elai is a boy's name of Talmudic origin.
Rabbi Elai was a sage of the Mishnah and father of Rabbi Yehuda bar Elai.
- In Hebrew
- אלעאי
- In English letters
- Elai
- Other Hebrew spellings
- אלעי
- Meaning
- Uncertain; perhaps exalted (Aramaic)
- Origin
- Talmudic
- Given to
- Boys
- Gematria value
- 112
577 Jewish Israelis born since 1949 carry the name Elai.
- 577 of them are men and boys, and fewer than 5 are women and girls.
- 39 of them were born in 2008, more than in any other year.
- Carriers born 2020 to 2024: 110, against 136 born 2010 to 2014, so its share of births is shrinking.
- The total includes the other Hebrew spellings the register counts separately: אלעי. The chart shows the spelling אלעאי alone.
Central Bureau of Statistics register, April 2025. People who changed their name are counted under the one they carry now, and a year with fewer than five shows as zero.
This is how Elai is counted in each population group.
These are the people born 1949 to 2024 who carry the spelling אלעאי today, in each population group and sex the register lists for it. The rank counts the names given in 2024, and 1 is the most given. A count under 5 is not published, so the table says “fewer than 5”, and 0 means nobody.
| Population group | Carriers | Born in 2024 | Rank in 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish boys | 524 | 30 | 275 of 541 |
In 2024, Elai ranked 275 of 541 among the names given to Jewish boys.
Source: the Central Bureau of Statistics table of current first names of people born 1949 to 2024, by sex and population group (release 391/2025 of 8 December 2025, read on 2 November 2026). Groups and sexes with no row for this spelling are left out.
These six names are close to Elai in theme or origin.
These are the questions people ask about the name Elai.
What does the name Elai mean?
The meaning of Elai is uncertain; perhaps exalted (Aramaic). Elai is a boy's name of Talmudic origin. Rabbi Elai was a sage of the Mishnah and father of Rabbi Yehuda bar Elai.
Is Elai a boy's name or a girl's name?
Elai is mainly a boy's name. Of the 577 Jewish Israelis born since 1949 who carry it, 577 are men and boys and fewer than 5 are women and girls.
How do you write Elai in Hebrew?
Elai is written אלעאי in Hebrew. The register also counts these other Hebrew spellings: אלעי.
How many people in Israel are named Elai?
577 Jewish Israelis born 1949 to 2024 carry Elai today. The most were born in 2008. In 2024, Elai ranked 275 of 541 among the names given to Jewish boys.
Counts are Jewish Israelis born 1949 to 2024 who carry the name today, from the Central Bureau of Statistics register of April 2025. Meanings follow the standard etymologies of Hebrew name references, and where nobody can be sure the page says so.