Elham

♀ Girl

Pronounced el-HAHM /ɛlˈhɑːm/Medium

Meaning: From the Arabic ilham, 'inspiration' — in religious use, inspiration that comes from God. It is a well-established girls' name in Iran and among Arabic-speaking families, and carries that sense of a gift breathed into a person.Medium

In 30 seconds: A Persian and Arabic name meaning 'inspiration' — in religious use, inspiration from God (said 'el-HAHM').

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Origin MediumPersian, Arabic

MeaningFrom the Arabic ilham, 'inspiration' — in religious use, inspiration that comes from God. It is a well-established girls' name in Iran and among Arabic-speaking families, and carries that sense of a gift breathed into a person.

U.S. rank (2024)#15911 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 335

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Elham is the Persian form of the Arabic ilham, 'inspiration.' In Islamic usage the word carries a specific weight: knowledge or insight placed in the heart by God rather than reasoned out. As a name it has been steadily used for girls in Iran and among Arabic speakers, and reaches the U.S. mainly through those families (said 'el-HAHM').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, meaningful, and rooted.

Did you know? Elham comes from the Arabic ilham, a word for inspiration understood as something breathed into a person — in religious use, by God. It is a well-loved girls' name in Iran, and is given with that sense of a gift intact.

Overall data confidence 72%

References — Elham — Persian from Arabic ilham, 'inspiration'

Variations

IlhamElhaamIlhaam

Nicknames

ElliEllie

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Elham mean?

Elham means 'inspiration' — from the Arabic ilham, and in religious use, inspiration that comes from God.

How do you pronounce Elham?

It's said el-HAHM /ɛlˈhɑːm/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Elham a boy or girl name?

Elham is used as a girl's name in Iran and among Arabic-speaking families.

How popular is Elham?

Elham is a very rare name for girls in the U.S., though familiar in Iran.