The nameElif
Elif is a Turkish girl's name, from the first letter of the Arabic alphabet.
- Girl's name
- Turkish
Meaning
Elif is the name of the letter alif, a symbol of uprightness and slenderness.
Origin
Turkish, from Arabic.
History
Elif is one of the most given girl's names in Turkey. In England and Wales it reached 517th in 2015.
Famous people named Elif
- Elif Shafak, novelist
Popularity of the name Elif
Elif in the United States
Elif was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 589 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Elif. Its rise began around 1992, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Elif in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 95 births a year on average, against 61 in the five years before.
Elif in the United Kingdom
Elif was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 658 births over the decade, 50% of all recorded babies named Elif. Half of all babies named Elif in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 53 births a year on average, against 69 in the five years before.
Elif in France
Elif in Belgium
Elif in Switzerland
Elif in Austria
Sibling names for Elif
Names from the same generation as Elif, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Elif? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Elif with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Elif side by side with the name of your choice.
Elif in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elif mean?
Elif is the name of the letter alif, a symbol of uprightness and slenderness.
What is the origin of the name Elif?
Turkish, from Arabic.
Is Elif a girl's or a boy's name?
Elif is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Elif?
In 2024, Elif was the 1767th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 114 births.
What are good sibling names for Elif?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Pia, Isra, Elyana and Imogen for a sister, Davi, Ilyas, Elyas and Tiago for a brother.
Who are famous people named Elif?
Elif Shafak, novelist.