"my God is salvation"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Elisha
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihsh-uh ]
Does Elisha flow with your last name?
A Biblical prophet's name with electric energy
English
American
Jewish
Christian
Spiritual
Classic
Strong
Traditional
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Elisha
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Elisha
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"God is my help"
Origin: Hebrew alternate reading
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Elisha
See all →What the Elisha report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Elisha the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Elisha
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Elisha head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Elisha actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Name is gender-ambiguous and is used for both boys and girls, causing some confusion
The Story of Elisha
Elisha is a Hebrew name meaning 'my God is salvation,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'yasha' (to save), the same root as Joshua and Isaiah. In the Hebrew Bible, Elisha was the prophetic successor of Elijah, performing even more miracles than his predecessor — including raising the dead, healing lepers, and parting the Jordan River. The name has been used continuously in Jewish and Christian communities for over three thousand years.
Elisha has gained momentum in the US as parents seek Biblical names that feel fresh — its similarity to the mega-popular Elijah makes it feel familiar yet distinctive. It rose steadily on US charts throughout the 2010s alongside the broader revival of Old Testament names for boys.
In Jewish tradition, Elisha is a major prophet whose stories fill much of 2 Kings. He is associated with social justice miracles — feeding the hungry, helping the poor, and healing the sick. In Ethiopian Christian tradition, Elisha is venerated as a saint.
Historical Record
Elisha first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 12,193 babies have been named Elisha in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Elisha is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #851 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The prophet Elisha performed 16 miracles recorded in the Bible, double the number recorded for Elijah
- Elisha Gray filed a patent caveat for the telephone on the same day as Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 — and lost the priority by just hours
Elisha in Other Languages
Arabic
اليسع
French
Élisée
Hebrew
אֱלִישָׁע
Italian
Eliseo
Spanish
Eliseo
Popularity Over Time
#851
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Elisha
E
Elisha Cook Jr.
Actor
1903
American character actor known for memorable supporting roles in classic noir films including The Maltese Falcon and Sha...
American character actor known for memorable supporting roles in classic noir films including The Maltese Falcon and Shane
E
Elisha Gray
Engineer
1835
American electrical engineer who co-founded Western Electric and famously came within hours of Alexander Graham Bell in ...
American electrical engineer who co-founded Western Electric and famously came within hours of Alexander Graham Bell in the race to patent the telephone
E
Elisha (prophet)
Religious
Hebrew prophet and miraculous healer in the Bible, successor to Elijah and one of the most active wonder-workers in the ...
Hebrew prophet and miraculous healer in the Bible, successor to Elijah and one of the most active wonder-workers in the Hebrew scriptures
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #851
- Total SSA Count
- 284
- Cultural Origins
- English American Jewish Christian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lish
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, 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
-
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 Elisha
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Elisha fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Elisha is also used as a girl name, ranked #2039.
View Elisha as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Elisha →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Elisha with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Elisha
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Elisha and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Elisha sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Abram
Boy
Hebrew ab + ram origin
"father of height"
#712 in US
Gatlin
Boy
English origin
"surname origin unclear, possibly from..."
#891 in US
Zymir
Boy
Hebrew origin
"song, singing bird"
#950 in US
Benedict
Boy
Latin origin
"well-spoken"
#915 in US
Aizen
Boy
Japanese origin
"love and goodness"
#1,008 in US
Rohan
Boy
Irish origin
"little red-haired one"
#842 in US
Maurice
Boy
Latin geographical origin
"from Mauritania"
#932 in US
Jedidiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"God's darling"
#811 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Elisha's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elisha
What does the name Elisha mean?
"my God is salvation" (from Hebrew). "God is my help" (from Hebrew alternate reading). Elisha is a Hebrew name meaning 'my God is salvation,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'yasha' (to save), the same root as Joshua and Isaiah. In the Hebrew Bible, Elisha was the prophetic successor of Elijah, performing even more miracles than his predecessor — including raising the dead, healing lepers, and parting the Jordan River. The name has been used continuously in Jewish and Christian communities for over three thousand years.
What is the origin of the name Elisha?
Elisha has Hebrew, Hebrew alternate reading, English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is salvation". In Hebrew alternate reading, it means "God is my help".
Is Elisha a boy or girl name?
Elisha is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #851. As a girl name, it is ranked #2039. Elisha is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Elisha?
Elisha is pronounced EHL-ihsh-uh.
How popular is the name Elisha?
Elisha is currently ranked #851 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elisha?
Common nicknames for Elisha include Eli and Lish.
What are good middle names for Elisha?
Popular middle name pairings include Elisha James, Elisha Cole, Elisha Dean, Elisha Grant, Elisha Ray, Elisha Thomas, and Elisha Aaron.
What are good sibling names for Elisha?
Names that pair well with Elisha as siblings include Elijah, Isaiah, Micah, Caleb, Naomi, Miriam, Deborah, and Jonah.
How many syllables does Elisha have?
Elisha has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elisha a common or rare name?
Elisha is moderately common, ranked #851 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Elisha?
Are there other spellings for Elisha?
Related spellings include Eliseo.
About the Name Elisha
Elisha is a boy name with English, American, Jewish, and Christian origins . The name means "my God is salvation" in Hebrew .
Is Elisha a boy or girl name? Elisha is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #851 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #2,039. Elisha is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elisha is currently ranked #851 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Elisha has 3 syllables and is pronounced EHL-ihsh-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Elisha include Eli and Lish. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elisha include Eliseo . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
E
Names Starting with E
More boy names like Elisha
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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