Eliab

♂ Boy

Pronounced EE-lee-ab /ˈiː.li.æb/High

Meaning: God is my father; my God is father; from Hebrew Eli-av (El: God + av: father)High

In 30 seconds: A Hebrew biblical name meaning 'God is my father,' from El (God) and av (father). Eliab was David's eldest brother in the Hebrew Bible — the handsome warrior whom God did not choose as king, to Samuel's surprise.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningGod is my father; my God is father; from Hebrew Eli-av (El: God + av: father)

U.S. rank (2025)#2491 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births54 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 945

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

Eliab comes from Hebrew Eli-av (El: God + av: father — God is my father). Eliab was Jesse's eldest son and David's brother in the Hebrew Bible. God passed over him as king of Israel in favor of his youngest brother David.

Eliab ranked #2445 for boys in 2024. Its use reflects evangelical and Christian communities drawn to rare biblical names.

Did you know? When the prophet Samuel went to anoint a new king from Jesse's sons, he saw Eliab — David's tall, handsome eldest brother — and thought 'Surely this is the Lord's anointed.' But God told Samuel: 'Do not look at his appearance or his stature...The Lord looks at the heart.' (1 Samuel 16:7) — one of the Bible's most important passages about inner character.

Overall data confidence 95%

Behind the Name — Eliab — Hebrew etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ElihuElijah

Nicknames

Eli

Famous Bearers

★Eliab (Hebrew Bible) (biblical)
Jesse's eldest son and David's brother (1 Samuel 16). Samuel initially thought him the chosen king, but God told Samuel to look at the heart, not appearance.

If you like Eliab…

Elijah— Hebrew prophet name with the same El- (God) opening

Eliam— Hebrew biblical name meaning 'my God is a people' with the same structure

Eliezer— Hebrew biblical name (God is help) with the same El- root

Efraim— shares Eliab's Hebrew roots

Elohim— another biblical pick

Explore names like Eliab

By themehebrew biblical three-syllable

By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Eliab mean?

Eliab means 'God is my father,' from Hebrew El (God) + av (father). Eliab was David's eldest brother in the Hebrew Bible.

How do you pronounce Eliab?

It's said EE-lee-ab /ˈiː.li.æb/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Eliab a boy or girl name?

Eliab is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Eliab?

Eliab ranked #2445 for U.S. boys in 2024.