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Elisha

♀ Girl

Pronounced ehl-EES-ha /ɛl.ˈis.hæ/Low

Meaning: From Hebrew Elishaʿ, 'God is salvation' (El 'God' + yashaʿ 'to save/deliver'). Name of an Old Testament prophet.Low

In 30 seconds: Elisha is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is salvation', from El ('God') and yashaʿ ('to save'), borne in the Old Testament by a prophet.
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Origin LowHebrew
MeaningFrom Hebrew Elishaʿ, 'God is salvation' (El 'God' + yashaʿ 'to save/deliver'). Name of an Old Testament prophet.
U.S. rank (2024)#2038 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births95 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1980
Total births (all-time)≈ 14,307

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 198019142024

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

History & Origin

Elisha comes from the Hebrew Elishaʿ, joining El, 'God', with yashaʿ, 'to save or deliver', for the sense 'God is salvation'. It belongs first to an Old Testament prophet, and that scriptural weight has carried the name forward for centuries on both girls and boys.

On screen the name has been worn by character actor Elisha Cook Jr., remembered as Wilmer in the 1941 Maltese Falcon, and by Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert of the series 24. The mix of an ancient prophet and modern performers gives it both gravity and familiarity.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Elisha is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Elisha — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Elisha Cook Jr. (1903–1995)
    American character actor famed for film noir, cast as Wilmer Cook in the 1941 film The Maltese Falcon.
  • ★Elisha Cuthbert (1982–present)
    Canadian actress known for Kim Bauer in the series 24 and roles in The Girl Next Door and House of Wax.

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elisha mean?

Elisha is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Elisha?

It's commonly said ehl-EES-ha /ɛl.ˈis.hæ/.

Is Elisha a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Elisha is used as a girl name.

How popular is Elisha?

In 2024, Elisha ranked #2038 in the U.S. for girls, with 95 births recorded.