Girl
Elif
slender, slim
About Elif
Elegant simplicity characterizes Elif, a name that carries profound cultural significance in Turkish and Islamic traditions. Two syllables of pure, clean sound create a name that feels both ancient and modern simultaneously. Elif represents the first letter of the Arabic alphabet, connecting bearers to rich linguistic heritage. The name's streamlined structure makes it easy to write and pronounce across different languages and cultures. Parents drawn to Elif often value meaningful simplicity and cultural authenticity. The soft sounds create a gentle impression while maintaining distinctive identity. Elif suits contemplative, thoughtful personalities as well as vibrant, expressive ones. Its brevity gives it strength, and its cultural depth provides lasting significance throughout life.
Popularity of the Name Elif
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United Kingdom | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | #965 | |
| 2006 | #795 | |
| 2007 | #883 | |
| 2008 | #808 | |
| 2009 | #821 | |
| 2010 | #923 | |
| 2011 | #651 | #992 |
| 2012 | #659 | |
| 2013 | #778 | |
| 2014 | #602 | #916 |
| 2015 | #524 | #929 |
| 2016 | #597 | |
| 2017 | #619 | |
| 2018 | #646 | |
| 2019 | #558 | |
| 2020 | #679 | |
| 2021 | #772 | #905 |
| 2022 | #750 | |
| 2023 | #803 | #740 |
| 2024 | #699 | |
| 2025 | #687 |
Top names by country: United Kingdom · Ireland
Variations of Name Elif
- Alif
- Aleph
- Alef
Names Similar to Elif
Nicknames for Elif
- Eli
- Lif
- Ellie
- Lifi
Famous People Named Elif
| Elif Shafak | Turkish-British author and women's rights activist |
| Elif Aksu | Turkish actress |
| Elif Güvendik | Turkish opera singer |
| Elif Jale Yesilirmak | Turkish contemporary artist |
| Elif Karaman | Turkish Olympic archer |
| Elif Khan | Indian dancer and choreographer |
| Elif Kaya | Turkish pop singer |
| Elif Ağca | Turkish female footballer |
| Elif Dedim | Turkish folk singer |
| Elif Durdu | Turkish contemporary artist |
Characters Named Elif
| Elif Karadag | Character in the Turkish TV series "Elif" |
| Elif Denizer | Character in the Turkish TV series "Bir Zamanlar Cukurova" |
| Elif Su | Character in the Turkish TV series "Ask Laftan Anlamaz" |
| Elif Aksoy | Character in the Turkish TV series "Kara Sevda" |
| Elif Kaya | Character in the Turkish novel "Aşk-ı Memnu" - Forbidden Love |
| Elif Yilmaz | Character in the Turkish TV series "Aşk ve Mavi" |
| Elif Saltuk | Character in the Turkish TV series "Yasak Elma" |
| Elif Aydin | Character in the Turkish TV series "Muhteşem Yüzyıl" |
| Elif Uzun | Character in the Turkish TV series "Medcezir" |
| Elif Karaman | Character in the Turkish TV series "Yeni Hayat" |