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Elijah

♂ Boy

Pronounced ih-LY-juh /ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə/High

Meaning: My God is Yahweh; Yahweh is my GodHigh

In 30 seconds: A powerful Hebrew name meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' Borne by the great Old Testament prophet, Elijah has surged in the U.S. top five boys' names in recent decades.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningMy God is Yahweh; Yahweh is my God
Peak year2011
Total births (all-time)≈ 281,374

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201118802017

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

History & Origin

Elijah comes from the Hebrew Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ), a compound of El (God) and Yahu (a form of the divine name Yahweh), meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' The prophet Elijah is one of the most dramatic figures in the Hebrew Bible, a champion of monotheism who challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.

The name was used by Puritans and other Protestants who favored biblical names. It appeared regularly in 18th- and 19th-century America but was not especially common. Its modern surge began in the 1990s, and Elijah has ranked in the U.S. top ten boys' names since the 2010s.

Did you know? In the Hebrew Bible, the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11) — the only prophet, along with Enoch, said not to have died a natural death.

Variations

EliasÉlieEliaEliyahuIlya

Nicknames

EliElyLijah

Famous Bearers

  • ★Elijah Wood (1981–)
    American actor known for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
  • ★Elijah McCoy (1844–1929)
    Canadian-American inventor whose prolific patents may have inspired the phrase 'the real McCoy.'

If you like Elijah…

Noah— fellow top-ranked biblical Hebrew boys' name
Ezra— shares the Old Testament prophet lineage
Asher— another Hebrew name with modern appeal
Levi— biblical Hebrew name with the same crisp, modern feel
Isaiah— another great Old Testament prophet name

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elijah mean?

Elijah comes from the Hebrew Eliyyahu, meaning 'my God is Yahweh' — a declaration of faith borne by the great Old Testament prophet.

How do you pronounce Elijah?

Elijah is pronounced ih-LY-juh /ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə/ — three syllables, with stress on the second.

Is Elijah a boy or girl name?

Elijah is used almost exclusively as a boy's name. The form Eliana is a separate feminine name.

How popular is Elijah?

Elijah has ranked in the U.S. top ten boys' names since around 2016, reflecting a broader trend toward strong Old Testament names.