"my God is king"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Elimelech
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My God is king — a name of ancient depth and Hasidic holiness
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The Story of Elimelech
Elimelech (Elimelekh in Hebrew) is an ancient compound name formed from Eli (my God) and Melech (king), meaning my God is king. In the Book of Ruth, Elimelech was the husband of Naomi who left Bethlehem with his family during a famine and settled in Moab, where he died. His wife Naomi and daughter-in-law Ruth then journeyed back to Bethlehem, setting in motion one of the Bible's most beloved stories of loyalty and redemption.
Elimelech is primarily used in traditional Ashkenazi Jewish communities, often given in memory of an ancestor (as is the Jewish custom of naming after deceased relatives). The name of the 18th-century Hasidic master Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk has kept it alive in Orthodox circles.
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk (1717-1787) is one of the most revered figures in Hasidic Judaism, known as the Rebbe Reb Meilech. His yahrtzeit (death anniversary) draws tens of thousands of pilgrims to Leżajsk, Poland each year — one of the largest Jewish pilgrimages in Europe.
Historical Record
Elimelech first appeared in US Social Security records in 1967.
Over 1,103 babies have been named Elimelech in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elimelech is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,727 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Tens of thousands of Jewish pilgrims visit the grave of Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk in Poland each year on his yahrtzeit
- The Book of Ruth is the only biblical book where Elimelech appears by name — though he dies early in the story, his legacy shapes everything that follows
Elimelech in Other Languages
Greek
Ελιμέλεχ
Hebrew
אֱלִימֶלֶךְ
Spanish
Elimélec
Yiddish
Meilech
Popularity Over Time
#2,727
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elimelech
E
Elimelech of Lizhensk
Religious
1717
Revered 18th-century Hasidic rabbi and tzaddik, author of Noam Elimelekh; one of the founding masters of Polish Hasidism
E
Elimelech (Book of Ruth)
Other
Husband of Naomi in the biblical Book of Ruth, whose family's journey from Bethlehem to Moab begins the story of Ruth an...
Husband of Naomi in the biblical Book of Ruth, whose family's journey from Bethlehem to Moab begins the story of Ruth and Boaz
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Compare Elimelech with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #2,727
- Total SSA Count
- 48
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish biblical
- Pronunciation
- Hard
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
Melly
Melech
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, Jewish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 4-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, Jewish heritage match, balanced 4-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elimelech
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elimelech
What does the name Elimelech mean?
"my God is king" (from Hebrew). Elimelech (Elimelekh in Hebrew) is an ancient compound name formed from Eli (my God) and Melech (king), meaning my God is king. In the Book of Ruth, Elimelech was the husband of Naomi who left Bethlehem with his family during a famine and settled in Moab, where he died. His wife Naomi and daughter-in-law Ruth then journeyed back to Bethlehem, setting in motion one of the Bible's most beloved stories of loyalty and redemption.
What is the origin of the name Elimelech?
Elimelech has Hebrew, Jewish, and biblical origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is king".
Is Elimelech a boy or girl name?
Elimelech is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Elimelech?
Elimelech is currently ranked #2727 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elimelech?
Common nicknames for Elimelech include Eli, Melly, and Melech.
What are good middle names for Elimelech?
Popular middle name pairings include Elimelech Yosef, Elimelech Moshe, Elimelech Aaron, Elimelech David, Elimelech Avraham, and Elimelech Shimon.
What are good sibling names for Elimelech?
Names that pair well with Elimelech as siblings include Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, Mahlon, Chilion, and Miriam.
How many syllables does Elimelech have?
Elimelech has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elimelech a common or rare name?
Elimelech is an uncommon name, ranked #2727 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Elimelech?
Are there other spellings for Elimelech?
Related spellings include Elim.
About the Name Elimelech
Elimelech is a boy name with Jewish and biblical origins . The name means "my God is king" in Hebrew .
Elimelech is currently ranked #2,727 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elimelech has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elimelech include Eli, Melly, and Melech. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elimelech include Elim . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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