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Eliza

Girl name · 583 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Eliza: 583 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 52 births in 2024.

Eliza is a short form of Elizabeth, ultimately from the Hebrew Elisheba, meaning "God is my oath." The name gained literary fame through Eliza Doolittle, the spirited Cockney flower girl in George Bernard Shaw's *Pygmalion* and the musical *My Fair Lady*. Historical bearers include Eliza Hamilton, the devoted wife of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, and Eliza Acton, the pioneering English cookery writer whose 1845 *Modern Cookery* influenced Mrs Beeton. While no major place shares the exact name Eliza, many towns and streets worldwide honour Saint Elizabeth, from whom Eliza descends. In Scotland, the name has a gentle, classic appeal, with variants such as Elisa and Liza offering modern alternatives—though Eliza itself feels both timeless and fresh for today's parents.