"My God is Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Elijah
Pronunciation: [ ehl-EYEJ-uh ]
Does Elijah flow with your last name?
The prophet's mighty name, boldly given to girls
English
Hebrew
American
Spiritual
Strong
Biblical
Bold
Modern
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Elijah
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Meaning & Origin
"The Lord is my God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Traditionally a male name — some may find it surprising on a girl
The Story of Elijah
Elijah comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'My God is Yahweh.' It belongs to one of the most towering prophets of the Old Testament — a man who performed miracles, challenged 450 prophets of Baal, and never died: he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. Though historically male, Elijah has emerged as a bold gender-neutral choice for girls in the 2010s and 2020s, riding the broader wave of unisex biblical names.
Elijah has ranked in the US boys' top 10 since 2010, boosted by the vampire character Elijah Mikaelson in 'The Originals.' Its crossover to girls is newer and rarer, following the pattern of parents choosing strong, traditionally masculine names — like Eli, Ezra, and Noah — for daughters.
In Judaism, Elijah is a messianic figure expected to herald the coming of the Messiah — an empty chair is left for him at Passover Seders. In Christianity he appears at the Transfiguration alongside Moses. In Islam he is the prophet Ilyas.
Historical Record
Elijah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1954.
Over 1,266 babies have been named Elijah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elijah is past its peak , currently ranked #5,104 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Elijah was the #4 boys' name in the US in 2023
- The prophet Elijah is one of only two people in the Hebrew Bible said to have ascended to heaven without dying
- The name Elijah has appeared on the US girls' chart with increasing frequency since 2015
Elijah in Other Languages
Arabic
إيليا
French
Élie
Hebrew
אֱלִיָּהוּ
Italian
Elia
Spanish
Elías
Popularity Over Time
#5,104
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2004
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #5,104
- Total SSA Count
- 26
- Cultural Origins
- English Hebrew American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lia
Ellie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 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
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, 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
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Elijah is also used as a boy name, ranked #8.
View Elijah as a boy name →Similar Names
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Latin origin
"dew of the sea"
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Hebrew (via Anna) origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah
What does the name Elijah mean?
"My God is Yahweh" (from Hebrew). "The Lord is my God" (from Biblical Hebrew). Elijah comes from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'My God is Yahweh.' It belongs to one of the most towering prophets of the Old Testament — a man who performed miracles, challenged 450 prophets of Baal, and never died: he ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire. Though historically male, Elijah has emerged as a bold gender-neutral choice for girls in the 2010s and 2020s, riding the broader wave of unisex biblical names.
What is the origin of the name Elijah?
Elijah has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "My God is Yahweh". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "The Lord is my God".
Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
Elijah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5104. As a boy name, it is ranked #8. 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 #5104 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elijah?
Common nicknames for Elijah include Eli, Lia, and Ellie.
What are good middle names for Elijah?
Popular middle name pairings include Elijah Rose, Elijah Grace, Elijah Mae, Elijah Claire, Elijah Jade, Elijah Marie, and Elijah Faith.
What are good sibling names for Elijah?
Names that pair well with Elijah as siblings include Isaiah, Noah, Ezra, Levi, Micah, Naomi, and Zoe.
How many syllables does Elijah have?
Elijah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elijah a common or rare name?
Elijah is an uncommon name, ranked #5104 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elijah
Elijah is a girl name with English, Hebrew, and American origins . The name means "My God is Yahweh" in Hebrew .
Is Elijah a boy or girl name? Elijah is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,104 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #8. Elijah is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elijah is currently ranked #5,104 in popularity for girl 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, Lia, and Ellie. 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