Ilai: meaning of the Hebrew name
עִילַי
Pronounced ee-LAI
Meaning of Ilai
Ilai is written עילי or אילעי or אילעאי or עלאי in Hebrew. These are spellings of the same name.
עילי Boy, Biblical
Ilai means exalted and lofty, from ila'i, supreme. In the Bible, Ilai the Ahohite was one of King David's mighty warriors.
אילעי Boy, Aramaic
Ilai comes from the Aramaic ila'a, high and sublime. Rabbi Ilai was a sage of the Mishnah period, and today it is a well-loved Israeli name for boys.
אילעאי Boy, Aramaic
Ilai means high and exalted, from the Aramaic ila'a. It was the name of Rabbi Ilai, a sage of the Mishnah and the father of Rabbi Yehuda.
עלאי Boy, Aramaic
Ilai means supreme and exalted, from the word ilai, which comes from Aramaic. This is a spelling variant of the name Ilai.
Sibbecai the Hushathite, Ilai the Ahohite;
סִבְּכַי הַחֻשָׁתִי עִילַי הָאֲחוֹחִי׃
Ilai in Hebrew
Ilai is written עילי in Hebrew (with vowel points: עִילַי). Other spellings: אילעי, אילעאי, עלאי. Hebrew is read from right to left.
- עAyin
- יYod
- לLamed
- יYod
Gematria value: 120 (Ayin 70 + Yod 10 + Lamed 30 + Yod 10)
About the name
- GenderBoy
- OriginBiblical
- Meaningexalted
- Pronunciationee-LAI
- Hebrewעילי
- Syllables2
- Other spellingsאילעי, אילעאי, עלאי
Popularity in Israel
עילי
Ilai (עילי) last appeared in Israel's top 150 boys' names in 2017, at #140 (119 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #103, in 2014.
All years 2014-2024
| Year | Rank | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | - | - |
| 2023 | - | - |
| 2022 | - | - |
| 2021 | - | - |
| 2020 | - | - |
| 2019 | - | - |
| 2018 | - | - |
| 2017 | 140 | 119 |
| 2016 | - | - |
| 2015 | 142 | 116 |
| 2014 | 103 | 173 |
Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), first names given to Jewish newborns, 2014-2024. Ranks cover the 150 most common names per year.
Similar names
Questions about Ilai
What does the name Ilai mean?
Ilai means exalted and lofty, from ila'i, supreme. In the Bible, Ilai the Ahohite was one of King David's mighty warriors.
How do you pronounce Ilai?
Ilai is pronounced ee-LAI in modern Israeli Hebrew. The syllable in capital letters is stressed.
How do you write Ilai in Hebrew?
Ilai is written עילי in Hebrew (with vowel points: עִילַי). Other spellings: אילעי, אילעאי, עלאי.
Is Ilai a biblical name?
Yes. Ilai appears in the Hebrew Bible, in 1 Chronicles 11:29 (spelled עילי).
How popular is the name Ilai in Israel?
Ilai (עילי) last appeared in Israel's top 150 boys' names in 2017, at #140 (119 babies). Its highest rank in 2014-2024 was #103, in 2014. Source: Israel Central Bureau of Statistics.
What is the gematria of Ilai?
In gematria, the Hebrew spelling עילי adds up to 120 (Ayin 70 + Yod 10 + Lamed 30 + Yod 10).
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