"the Lord is my God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Elijah
Pronunciation: [ ehl-EYEJ-uh ]
Does Elijah flow with your last name?
A fiery prophet's name, ascending in every sense
Hebrew
Christian
English
Biblical
Spiritual
Strong
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Elijah
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Elijah
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"my God is Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
"strength of the Lord"
Origin: Folk etymology
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Elijah
See all →What the Elijah report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Elijah the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Elijah
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Elijah head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Elijah actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Elijah
Elijah comes from the Hebrew 'Eliyahu,' a combination of 'El' (God) and 'Yahu' (a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh) — meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' In the Hebrew Bible, Elijah is one of the most dramatic and beloved prophets: he challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, was fed by ravens in the wilderness, and ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire without dying — one of only two people in the Hebrew Bible said to have done so.
Elijah has been surging in the US, entering the top 5 in 2020. Its rise reflects the broader trend toward Old Testament names with gravitas and the popularity of the short form Eli, which feels both ancient and contemporary. Actor Elijah Wood's long career kept it culturally visible.
Elijah is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (as Ilyas). In Jewish tradition, a cup of wine is left for Elijah at every Passover seder, and the door is opened for him — he is expected to herald the coming of the Messiah. His dramatic ascent to heaven in a fiery chariot is one of the Bible's most vivid images.
Historical Record
Elijah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 357,767 babies have been named Elijah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elijah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #8 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elijah is one of only two people in the Hebrew Bible said to have ascended to heaven without dying — the other is Enoch
- A cup of wine is left for Elijah at every Jewish Passover seder
- Elijah entered the US top 5 boy's names in 2020
Elijah in Other Languages
Greek
Elias
Arabic
Ilyas
French
Elie
Italian
Elia
Spanish
Elias
Popularity Over Time
#8
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elijah
E
Elijah Wood
Actor
1981
American actor best known for playing Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy
E
Elijah Muhammad
Religious
1897
Leader of the Nation of Islam from 1934 to 1975
E
Elijah McCoy
Scientist
1844
African-Canadian-American inventor known for his lubrication devices for steam engines
E
Elijah Mikaelson Fictional
Other
Honorable Original vampire from The CW's The Vampire Diaries and The Originals
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Amir
Boy
"speech, tree-top (Hebrew)"
#95
Calvin
Boy
"bald, hairless"
#140
Benjamin
Boy
"son of the south"
#11
Robert
Boy
"glory bright"
#90
Graham
Boy
"grey home"
#129
Compare Elijah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #8
- Total SSA Count
- 11,171
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lijah
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elijah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Elijah
Phonetic neighbors that share Elijah's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Elijah fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Elijah is also used as a girl name, ranked #5104.
View Elijah as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Elijah →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Elijah with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
See all Hebrew names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Elijah
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Elijah and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Elijah sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Amir
Boy
Hebrew origin
"speech, tree-top (Hebrew)"
#95 in US
Calvin
Boy
Latin origin
"bald, hairless"
#140 in US
Benjamin
Boy
Hebrew origin
"son of the south"
#11 in US
Robert
Boy
Norman French origin
"glory bright"
#90 in US
Graham
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"grey home"
#129 in US
Everett
Boy
Old German via English origin
"brave as a wild boar"
#85 in US
River
Boy
Old French origin
"flowing body of water, stream"
#112 in US
Logan
Boy
Scottish origin
"From the Scottish place name Logan; a..."
#46 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Elijah's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah
What does the name Elijah mean?
"the Lord is my God" (from Hebrew). "my God is Yahweh" (from Hebrew). "strength of the Lord" (from Folk etymology). Elijah comes from the Hebrew 'Eliyahu,' a combination of 'El' (God) and 'Yahu' (a shortened form of the divine name Yahweh) — meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' In the Hebrew Bible, Elijah is one of the most dramatic and beloved prophets: he challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, was fed by ravens in the wilderness, and ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire without dying — one of only two people in the Hebrew Bible said to have done so.
What is the origin of the name Elijah?
Elijah has Hebrew, Folk etymology, Christian, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "the Lord is my God". In Hebrew, it means "my God is Yahweh". In Folk etymology, it means "strength of the Lord".
Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
Elijah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #8. As a girl name, it is ranked #5104. Elijah is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elijah?
Elijah is pronounced ehl-EYEJ-uh.
How popular is the name Elijah?
Elijah is currently ranked #8 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elijah?
Common nicknames for Elijah include Eli and Lijah.
What are good middle names for Elijah?
Popular middle name pairings include Elijah James, Elijah Thomas, Elijah Alexander, Elijah Joseph, Elijah Samuel, Elijah David, and Elijah Michael.
What are good sibling names for Elijah?
Names that pair well with Elijah as siblings include Noah, Isaac, Isaiah, Olivia, Naomi, Hannah, and Sophia.
How many syllables does Elijah have?
Elijah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elijah a common or rare name?
Elijah is a very popular name, ranked #8 among boy names in the United States.
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Elijah
Elijah is a boy name with Hebrew, Christian, and English origins . The name means "the Lord is my God" in Hebrew .
Is Elijah a boy or girl name? Elijah is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #8 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #5,104. Elijah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elijah is currently ranked #8 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elijah has 3 syllables and is pronounced ehl-EYEJ-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elijah include Eli and Lijah. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More boy names like Elijah
Classic Names
Well-known names that stand the test of time
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis