Ely is a distinctive boys' name in United States, ranking #1171 in 2008 with 153 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2009 with 159 births ranking #1149. Since 1996, the popularity has increased by 255.8%. In 2008, approximately 1 in every 13,333 boys born was named Ely. STABLE Recent data shows the name is currently stable.