Meaning and background
The story behind Elli
Elli has three distinct histories in Behind the Name. A Greek form relates to Helle; German and Finnish use can shorten names beginning with El, including Elizabeth. In Norse mythology, Elli instead personifies old age and defeats Thor in a wrestling episode. These are separate name traditions, not cumulative meanings. A family or mythological tribute for a dog should identify the intended route so that one culture’s explanation is not assigned to another.
- Origin
- Greek form of Helle; German/Finnish El-name diminutive; independently Norse personification of old age. Source · Source 2 · Source 3
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About Elli
Recorded as a dog’s name
Elli appears in 6 dog licence records in the 2022 New York City dataset.
How to read this count
These records cover New York City and may count the same dog in more than one licence period. They are not a national popularity ranking.
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Sources and research notes (2)
- New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene NYC Dog Licensing Dataset — all seven available extract years, retrieved 24 October 2026 — Recorded name spellings in NYC licence-period rows, extract years 2016–2018, 2022–2024 and 2026. Evidence selects one stated year per name. Annual snapshots overlap; never sum them as unique dogs. No national popularity, etymology or owner naming-intent claim.
- City of Seattle Seattle Pet Licenses — DOG-only name aggregate, current source dated 6 October 2026 — Secondary spelling corroboration from dog-only licence rows. No cats, owner fields, national ranking or unique-dog claim.
References support the individual facts shown. A source link does not mean the entire profile has been verified.