Elijah

Pronunciation: [ ehl-EYEJ-uh ]

Boy Name #8 Most Popular Rising 3 Syllables

A fiery prophet's name, ascending in every sense

Hebrew Christian English

Biblical Spiritual Strong Classic

Meaning & Origin

"the Lord is my God"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: English

"my God is Yahweh"

Origin: Hebrew

Language: Hebrew

"strength of the Lord"

Origin: Folk etymology

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Elijah

Elijah Wood

Actor

1981

American actor best known for playing Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Elijah Muhammad

Religious

1897

Leader of the Nation of Islam from 1934 to 1975

Elijah McCoy

Scientist

1844

African-Canadian-American inventor known for his lubrication devices for steam engines

Elijah Mikaelson Fictional

Other

Honorable Original vampire from The CW's The Vampire Diaries and The Originals

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

Common Nicknames

Eli Lijah

Pairs Well With

Elijah James Elijah Thomas Elijah Alexander Elijah Joseph Elijah Samuel Elijah David Elijah Michael

Sibling Names

Noah Isaac Isaiah Olivia Naomi Hannah Sophia

Also a Girl Name

Elijah is also used as a girl name, ranked #5104.

View Elijah as a girl name →

Similar Names

Isaac Ellis Ezra Elisha Josiah Isiah Israel Issac

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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.

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.