Elijah
Elijah is a boys' name of Hebrew origin meaning “my God is Yahweh.” It ranked #7 in the United States in 2025. Elijah was a major prophet in the Hebrew Bible who ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.
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how do you pronounce Elijah?
eh-LY-jah
where does the name Elijah come from?
From the Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu), combining El, meaning God, with Yah, the shortened divine name. It states a position rather than describing a person: my God is Yahweh, which was a pointed claim in a period when it was contested.
The name has been a top-10 staple in the US since 2016, blending biblical gravitas with a contemporary feel.
how popular is this name?
Elijah has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #4 in 2020, and ranked #7 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #7 |
| 2024 | #8 |
| 2023 | #5 |
| 2022 | #5 |
| 2021 | #4 |
| 2020 | #4 |
| 2019 | #5 |
| 2018 | #7 |
| 2017 | #8 |
| 2016 | #9 |
| 2010 | #18 |
| 2000 | #52 |
| 1990 | #243 |
| 1980 | #279 |
| 1970 | #596 |
| 1960 | #580 |
| 1950 | #403 |
| 1940 | #404 |
| 1930 | #378 |
| 1920 | #355 |
| 1910 | #233 |
| 1900 | #210 |
| 1890 | #204 |
| 1880 | #135 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Elijah fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Elijah
The prophet's confrontation with the priests of Baal on Mount Carmel in the first book of Kings is one of the sharpest scenes in the Hebrew Bible, and his departure by whirlwind rather than death shaped later expectations of his return. A cup is still poured for Elijah at the Passover seder, and the door opened for him.
who are famous people named Elijah?
- Elijah Wood (actor, Lord of the Rings)
- Elijah (biblical prophet)
- Elijah Cummings (US congressman)
what are the nicknames and variants of Elijah?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Elijah?
what names go well with Elijah?
Sibling names that share Elijah's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Elijah
What does the name Elijah mean?
Elijah means “my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Elijah?
Elijah comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Eliyahu, Elias and Elia.
How popular is the name Elijah?
Elijah ranked #7 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2020, at #4, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
Elijah is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Elijah?
Elijah is pronounced eh-LY-jah, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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