A new Jewish name has entered the top ten baby names for girls — at least, according to data from the website BabyCenter.
Eliana, a name meaning “my God has answered” in Hebrew, is the 7th most popular baby name on BabyCenter’s list, marking its first time in the top ten. Last year, it was the 14th most popular name for girls.
BabyCenter’s data is different from the Social Security Administration’s official list of baby name rankings released each spring. BabyCenter’s list comes from the more than 350,000 users who register their babies’ names through BabyCenter which, they claim, allows them to publish in real time the data that the SSA can’t publish until next spring. According to both sources, Eliana has been steadily rising in popularity, so a jump into the top ten makes sense.
Digging in to the meaning of Eliana
For many Jews, the Hebrew translation is meaningful when naming a baby who was difficult to conceive. “This is the name of my rainbow baby,” one reader told us. “She really is a gift and the answer to our prayers.”
“We had two losses before having [our Eliana], and the name was so fitting,” said another.
One reader named Eliana told us she loves her name. “‘God has answered me’ after my parents struggled to have me feels sacred,” she wrote.
The name is widely used outside of the Jewish community as well, which may help explain its steady rise to the top ten. In French, the name Éliane is derived from the Greek word Helios, meaning sun, and variations including Eliana are popular in Italian-, Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries.
What do other Jews think of the name Eliana?
The Kveller audience is split — some people are excited that it’s becoming more and more popular; others think a baby named Eliana will just end up being called Ellie, and well, everyone is named Ellie these days. Some of our readers commented that they know more non-Jewish Elianas than Jewish Elianas. Others said it felt like a classic Jewish day school/summer camp name. More than one reader shared a sentiment similar to this one: “Eliana was the popular girl who always came back from summer break with golden skin.”
Our verdict on Eliana
If you’re looking for an identifiably Jewish girl’s name with an easy nickname and a modern feel, Eliana is a solid choice — especially for parents naming a baby after a long struggle. If you don’t love Ellie for a nickname, Ana is right there, Liana is a beautiful choice and Eli is a fun twist. And in our opinion, Eliana’s sunny secular roots only add to the appeal.
Other Jewish girls’ names and names of Jewish interest in BabyCenter’s top 100
Nova (#21): Not technically a Jewish name, but one many Jewish families are using to honor the victims of October 7th who were killed at the Nova music festival.
Elizabeth (#28): The English version of the Hebrew Elisheva, meaning “my God is an oath.”
Delilah (#39): An iconic biblical figure and Hebrew for “delicate.”
Naomi (#45): Derives from the Hebrew for “pleasant.” Naomi was a central part of the biblical story of Ruth.
Iris (#48): An ancient Greek word for rainbow that now refers to the flower. In Hebrew, this flower is pronounced ee-REES and is often used as a girl’s name.
Ayla (#49): In modern Hebrew, this name means “terebinth tree.”
Maya (#52): A name used internationally, and often by Jews as derived from the Hebrew word for water (mayim) or the Hebrew “from God” (m’yah).
Eden (#55): A Hebrew name meaning pleasure, delight or heaven, and, famously, the setting of the biblical creation story.
Hannah (#58): From the Hebrew meaning “God has favored me.”
Leah (#80): The biblical matriarch whose name means “delicate.”
Sarah (#84): The biblical matriarch whose name means “princess.”
