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Elisha

♂ Boy

Pronounced eh-LY-shuh /ɛˈlaɪ.ʃə/High

Meaning: God is my salvation; from the Hebrew Elisha, combining El meaning God and yasha meaning to save or to deliverHigh

In 30 seconds: Elisha means God is my salvation in Hebrew, the name of the great Old Testament prophet who succeeded Elijah, performed sixteen miracles in the Hebrew Bible, and gave this three-syllable name its deep spiritual resonance.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningGod is my salvation; from the Hebrew Elisha, combining El meaning God and yasha meaning to save or to deliver

U.S. rank (2025)#789 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births322 boys (0.02% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2008

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,662

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Elisha derives from the Hebrew Elisha, composed of El (God) and the root yasha (to save, to deliver), giving God is salvation or God is my deliverer. Elisha was the disciple and successor of the prophet Elijah, his story occupying much of 2 Kings 2-13. He received a double portion of Elijah's spirit.

Elisha has been used as a given name in Jewish and Christian communities for centuries. In the United States it is used for both boys and girls, making it an unusual genuinely unisex biblical name. It appeared in the national top 500 boys names in the 2000s and continues in steady use.

Did you know? The prophet Elisha performed more miracles recorded in the Old Testament than any other prophet except Moses and Elijah. His miracles include healing Naaman's leprosy, raising a boy from the dead, and causing an iron ax head to float on water, making him one of the most supernaturally active figures in the Hebrew scriptures.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Elisha — Hebrew etymology and biblical historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ElijahEliseoElysha

Nicknames

EliLisha

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elisha…

Elijah— the direct predecessor prophet whose name Elisha mirrors in structure

Isaiah— shares the Hebrew three-syllable prophet name tradition

Josiah— same Hebrew -iah suffix and Old Testament royal-prophetic heritage

Jeremiah— fellow multi-syllable Hebrew prophet name with strong spiritual gravitas

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elisha mean?

Elisha means God is my salvation, from the Hebrew El (God) and yasha (to save).

How do you pronounce Elisha?

It is said eh-LY-shuh, three syllables with stress on the second.

Is Elisha a boy or girl name?

Elisha is used for both boys and girls in the United States; in the Bible it was a male prophet.

Who was the prophet Elisha?

Elisha was a major Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament who succeeded Elijah and performed sixteen recorded miracles in the Books of Kings.