Eli is a masculine given name of Hebrew origin, derived from the Hebrew name אֱלִי (Elī), meaning "ascension" or "my God". In Hebrew, the name is often associated with the biblical figure Eli, a priest and judge of Israel mentioned in the Books of Samuel. The name has been adopted in various cultures and languages, with translations and variations including Eliyahu in Hebrew (אֱלִיָּהוּ), Elijah in English, Élie in French, Elia in Italian, and Elias in German and Scandinavian languages. The name Eli has been popularized in modern times by notable figures such as Eli Wallach, an American actor, and Eli Manning, a former American football quarterback. The name is also used as a short form of longer names like Elijah or Elisha.