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Eliam

♂ Boy

Pronounced ee-LY-um /iːˈlaɪ.əm/High

Meaning: From the Hebrew elements 'El' (God) and 'am' (people, kinsman, or nation), meaning 'my God is a kinsman' or 'God of the people'.High

In 30 seconds: Eliam is a rare biblical gem, borne by two figures in the Old Testament, offering parents a deeply rooted Hebrew name that feels both ancient and freshly distinctive.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom the Hebrew elements 'El' (God) and 'am' (people, kinsman, or nation), meaning 'my God is a kinsman' or 'God of the people'.
U.S. rank (2025)#313 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births1,085 boys (0.06% of U.S. boys)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,434

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202520002025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Eliam appears twice in the Hebrew Bible. In 2 Samuel 11:3, Eliam is identified as the father of Bathsheba, the woman who became one of King David's wives. In 2 Samuel 23:34, another Eliam is listed among David's mighty warriors. The name is composed of the Hebrew elements El (God) and am (people or kinsman), yielding the interpretation 'God is my kinsman' or 'God of the people'.

Despite its biblical pedigree, Eliam remained extremely rare as a given name through most of Western history, overshadowed by more prominent biblical names. In the early twenty-first century, however, parents drawn to melodic Hebrew names began rediscovering Eliam. It shares sonic kinship with popular names like Elijah and Liam while remaining distinctly uncommon, making it appealing to parents seeking biblical authenticity without ubiquity.

Did you know? In 2 Samuel 11:3, Eliam is named as the father of Bathsheba, one of the most significant women in the Hebrew Bible — making it a name tied to the lineage of King Solomon.
Overall data confidence 87%
Strong's Hebrew Concordance — Etymology of Hebrew name elements El and am2 Samuel 11:3, Hebrew Bible — Biblical attestation of Eliam as father of Bathsheba

Variations

EliyamElimelech

Nicknames

EliLiam

Famous Bearers

  • ★Eliam (father of Bathsheba) (c. 1000 BCE)
    Biblical figure in 2 Samuel 11:3, identified as the father of Bathsheba.

If you like Eliam…

Elijah— Hebrew biblical name sharing the 'El' (God) prefix and similar melodic flow
Ezra— short, rare Old Testament Hebrew name with a similarly scholarly feel
Liam— shares the '-iam' ending sound and similar rhythm to the second half of Eliam

Frequently Asked

What does the name Eliam mean?

Eliam means 'my God is a kinsman' or 'God of the people', from the Hebrew elements El (God) and am (people).

How do you pronounce Eliam?

Eliam is pronounced ee-LY-um (/iːˈlaɪ.əm/), with three syllables and stress on the second.

Is Eliam a boy or girl name?

Eliam is a masculine biblical name used exclusively for boys.

How popular is Eliam?

Eliam is rare but rising in the United States, appealing to parents who love Elijah and Liam but want something more distinctive.