"He is my God"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Elihu
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihh-oo ]
Does Elihu flow with your last name?
A rare biblical gem meaning my God is He
Jewish
American
Biblical
Spiritual
Traditional
Literary
Strong
Vintage
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The Story of Elihu
Elihu is a Hebrew biblical name from the root words meaning my God is He or He is my God. The name appears in the Old Testament as several distinct figures, most notably as one of Job's three friends who speaks lengthy discourses in the Book of Job (chapters 32-37). Elihu ben Barachel the Buzite is presented as a young man who had waited respectfully for the older men to speak before offering his own perspective on Job's suffering. The name carries the gravitas of biblical antiquity and was particularly popular among Puritan settlers in America.
Elihu was a favorite name among Puritan and early American communities in the 17th-19th centuries, when biblical names were fashionable and parents sought names reflecting deep faith. It declined through the 20th century but is now being rediscovered by families seeking distinctive Old Testament alternatives to more common names like Elijah or Eli.
Elihu Root (1845-1937) was a prominent American statesman who served as Secretary of War and Secretary of State, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912. Elihu Yale, a colonial-era merchant, made donations to a Connecticut college that was subsequently renamed Yale University in his honor in 1718.
Historical Record
Elihu first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 682 babies have been named Elihu in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elihu is past its peak , currently ranked #5,577 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Yale University is named after Elihu Yale, a colonial merchant who donated to the school in 1718
- Elihu Root won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912 for his work promoting international arbitration
- Elihu appears in the Book of Job as a young man who offers a passionate defense of God's justice
Elihu in Other Languages
Greek
Ελιου
Latin
Eliu
Arabic
إيليهو
Hebrew
אֱלִיהוּ (Elihu)
Spanish
Eliu
Popularity Over Time
#5,577
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1953
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elihu
E
Elihu Root
Politician
1845
American statesman, Nobel Peace Prize winner 1912, served as Secretary of State under Theodore Roosevelt
E
Elihu Yale
Business
1649
Colonial-era merchant whose donations led to Yale University being named in his honor in 1718
E
Elihu (Biblical) Fictional
Religious
Young man in the Book of Job who delivers passionate speeches about God's justice and Job's suffering
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,577
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish American Biblical
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Eli
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Elihu
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elihu
What does the name Elihu mean?
"He is my God" (from Hebrew). Elihu is a Hebrew biblical name from the root words meaning my God is He or He is my God. The name appears in the Old Testament as several distinct figures, most notably as one of Job's three friends who speaks lengthy discourses in the Book of Job (chapters 32-37). Elihu ben Barachel the Buzite is presented as a young man who had waited respectfully for the older men to speak before offering his own perspective on Job's suffering. The name carries the gravitas of biblical antiquity and was particularly popular among Puritan settlers in America.
What is the origin of the name Elihu?
Elihu has Hebrew, Jewish, American, and Biblical origins. In Hebrew, it means "He is my God".
Is Elihu a boy or girl name?
Elihu is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elihu?
Elihu is pronounced EHL-ihh-oo.
How popular is the name Elihu?
Elihu is currently ranked #5577 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elihu?
Common nicknames for Elihu include Eli.
What are good middle names for Elihu?
Popular middle name pairings include Elihu James, Elihu Samuel, Elihu David, Elihu Thomas, Elihu Nathan, Elihu Joseph, and Elihu Aaron.
What are good sibling names for Elihu?
Names that pair well with Elihu as siblings include Ezra, Elijah, Micah, Caleb, Naomi, Miriam, and Ruth.
How many syllables does Elihu have?
Elihu has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elihu a common or rare name?
Elihu is an uncommon name, ranked #5577 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elihu
Elihu is a boy name with Jewish, American, and Biblical origins . The name means "He is my God" in Hebrew .
Elihu is currently ranked #5,577 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elihu has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihh-oo, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elihu include Eli. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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