Eliab

Boy Name #2,443 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

An ancient biblical name meaning God is my father

Hebrew Jewish Christian Ethiopian

Spiritual Traditional Strong Classic Vintage

Meaning & Origin

"my God is father"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"God is my father"

Origin: Hebrew El + ab

Language: Hebrew

The Story of Eliab

Eliab is a biblical Hebrew name composed of 'El' (God) and 'ab' (father), meaning 'my God is father' or 'God is my father.' The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible — most notably as the eldest son of Jesse and thus the oldest brother of King David. Eliab was passed over by God when Samuel came to anoint Israel's next king, establishing the famous theme that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance.

Eliab has remained a niche but beloved name in religious communities, particularly among Jewish families and devout Christians who appreciate its deep biblical roots. The growing trend toward rare biblical names has brought it modest renewed interest.

In Ethiopian Jewish communities (Beta Israel), Eliab holds particular significance as a name connecting to the ancient Israelite lineage. The name represents the concept of God as a paternal figure central to Abrahamic faiths.

Fun Facts

Eliab was the eldest of Jesse's eight sons, all reviewed by the prophet Samuel
The name appears at least 5 times in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
In 1 Samuel 16, Eliab was considered for kingship but passed over in favor of David

Eliab in Other Languages

Greek Ελιαβ

Arabic إيلاب

Hebrew אֱלִיאָב

Spanish Eliab

Famous People Named Eliab

Eliab (son of Jesse)

Military

Eldest son of Jesse and oldest brother of King David in the Hebrew Bible

Eliab (son of Helon)

Military

Leader of the tribe of Zebulun during the Exodus, mentioned in the Book of Numbers

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #2,443
Total SSA Count: 56
Cultural Origins: Hebrew Jewish Christian Ethiopian
Pronunciation: Moderate
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Alternative Spellings

Elias #25 Elian #237 Eliam #382 Eliazar #2795 Eliano #2947 Eliakim #3260 Eliah #3566 Elia #4626

Common Nicknames

Eli Abe

Pairs Well With

Eliab James Eliab Samuel Eliab David Eliab Aaron Eliab Jonathan Eliab Noah

Sibling Names

Elijah Miriam Hannah Samuel Levi Naomi Abram

Similar Names

Levi Elijah Silas Eli Elias Enoch Ellis Isaiah

Playground Safety

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Frequently Asked Questions About Eliab

What does the name Eliab mean?

"my God is father" (from Hebrew). "God is my father" (from Hebrew El + ab). Eliab is a biblical Hebrew name composed of 'El' (God) and 'ab' (father), meaning 'my God is father' or 'God is my father.' The name appears multiple times in the Hebrew Bible — most notably as the eldest son of Jesse and thus the oldest brother of King David. Eliab was passed over by God when Samuel came to anoint Israel's next king, establishing the famous theme that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance.

What is the origin of the name Eliab?

Eliab has Hebrew, Hebrew El + ab, Jewish, Christian, and Ethiopian origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is father". In Hebrew El + ab, it means "God is my father".

Is Eliab a boy or girl name?

Eliab is primarily used as a boy name.

How popular is the name Eliab?

Eliab is currently ranked #2443 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Eliab?

Common nicknames for Eliab include Eli and Abe.

What are good middle names for Eliab?

Popular middle name pairings include Eliab James, Eliab Samuel, Eliab David, Eliab Aaron, Eliab Jonathan, and Eliab Noah.

What are good sibling names for Eliab?

Names that pair well with Eliab as siblings include Elijah, Miriam, Hannah, Samuel, Levi, Naomi, and Abram.

How many syllables does Eliab have?

Eliab has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Eliab a common or rare name?

Eliab is an uncommon name, ranked #2443 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Eliab

Eliab is a boy name with Hebrew, Jewish, Christian, and Ethiopian origins . The name means "my God is father" in Hebrew .

Eliab is currently ranked #2,443 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Eliab has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Eliab include Eli and Abe. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.

Alternative spellings of Eliab include Elias, Elian, Eliam, Eliazar, Eliano . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.