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Elohim
Pronounced el-oh-HEEM /ˌɛl.oʊˈhiːm/High
Meaning: Hebrew word Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) meaning 'God' or 'gods'; the most frequently used name for the divine in the Hebrew Bible, appearing over 2,500 times; grammatically plural but theologically singular in Jewish and Christian monotheismHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is the most common word for God in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), used alongside YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) and Adonai. It derives from the Semitic root el (god, power). Its grammatical plurality while denoting the one God of Israel has generated extensive theological commentary across millennia. As a given name, it was virtually unknown historically in Jewish tradition, where using divine names as personal names was avoided.
As a given name, Elohim has been used occasionally in the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly in Christian communities in Latin America and Africa, and among parents seeking a name with the most direct divine meaning possible. It is quite rare and carries significant religious weight. Some religious communities consider it inappropriate as a personal name.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Elohim mean?
Elohim means God in Hebrew, the most common word for the divine in the Bible, appearing in the very first verse of Genesis.
How do you pronounce Elohim?
It is said el-oh-HEEM, with three syllables and stress on the last.
Is Elohim a boy or girl name?
When used as a given name, Elohim is used for boys.
How popular is Elohim?
Elohim is very rare as a personal name; it carries profound religious weight and is used occasionally in deeply devout Christian communities.