Elijah
My God is Yahweh — a boy name of Hebrew origin
Popularity of Elijah in the United States
Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Meaning & Origin of Elijah
Elijah comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, composed of "el" (God) and "Yah" (Yahweh), meaning "my God is Yahweh." In the Hebrew Bible, Elijah was one of the most prominent prophets, known for his dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and his ascension to heaven in a chariot of fire. The name has been revered across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, where he is known as Ilyas. After centuries of modest use, Elijah surged in popularity in the 2000s and reached the number-one spot on the US baby name charts in 2016.
Elijah Around the World
Elijah is used in 0 languages worldwide, with 5+ international variants.
TypeMale given name
Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.
Nicknames for Elijah
Famous People Named Elijah
- Elijah Wood — American actor (The Lord of the Rings)
- Elijah McCoy — Canadian-American inventor
- Elijah Cummings — American politician and civil rights leader
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Sibling Name Ideas for Elijah
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Elijah mean?
Elijah is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "My God is Yahweh." Elijah comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, composed of "el" (God) and "Yah" (Yahweh), meaning "my God is Yahweh." In the Hebrew Bible, Elijah was one of the most prominent prophets, known for his dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and his ascension to heaven in a chariot of fire.
How do you pronounce Elijah?
Elijah is pronounced eh-LY-juh. Common variations include Elias, Eliahu, Ilias.
Is Elijah a boy name?
Yes, Elijah is traditionally a boy name. Popular nicknames include Eli, Lijah, EJ.
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