"God is my salvation"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Elisha
Pronunciation: [ EHL-ihsh-uh ]
Girl Name
#2,039 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A prophetic Hebrew name meaning God saves
Hebrew
Christian
English
African American
Spiritual
Classic
Gentle
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Traditionally a male name (biblical prophet), which causes some confusion
The Story of Elisha
Elisha is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is salvation,' from 'El' (God) and 'yesha' (salvation). In the Hebrew Bible, Elisha was a prominent prophet and the successor to Elijah, known for miraculous deeds including raising the dead and healing the sick. While traditionally male, Elisha has been used for girls, particularly in African American and religious communities.
Elisha has been used as a girls' name in the US since at least the 1970s, likely due to its phonetic similarity to the popular girls' names Alicia and Alisha. It appeals to Christian families who want a biblical name that sounds feminine.
The biblical prophet Elisha is revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In Islamic tradition, he is known as Al-Yasa and is mentioned in the Quran. The name carries significant spiritual weight in all three Abrahamic faiths.
Fun Facts
- The prophet Elisha performed 16 miracles in the Bible, more than any other prophet except Jesus
- Elisha was the only biblical prophet to raise two people from the dead
Elisha in Other Languages
Arabic
اليسع
French
Élisée
Hebrew
אֱלִישָׁע
Italian
Eliseo
Spanish
Eliseo
Famous People Named Elisha
E
Elisha Cuthbert
Actor
1982
Canadian actress known for playing Kim Bauer in the TV series 24
E
Elisha Otis
Engineer
1811
American inventor who invented the safety elevator, making modern skyscrapers possible
E
Elisha (prophet)
Religious
Biblical prophet of Israel, successor to Elijah, who performed sixteen miracles in the Hebrew Bible
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,039
- Total SSA Count
- 95
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian English African American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Eli
Lisha
Ely
Pairs Well With
Elisha Grace
Elisha Faith
Elisha Rose
Elisha Marie
Elisha Ann
Elisha Joy
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Elisha is also used as a boy name, ranked #851.
View Elisha as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Elisha
What does the name Elisha mean?
"God is my salvation" (from Hebrew). Elisha is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is salvation,' from 'El' (God) and 'yesha' (salvation). In the Hebrew Bible, Elisha was a prominent prophet and the successor to Elijah, known for miraculous deeds including raising the dead and healing the sick. While traditionally male, Elisha has been used for girls, particularly in African American and religious communities.
What is the origin of the name Elisha?
Elisha has Hebrew, Christian, English, and African American origins. In Hebrew, it means "God is my salvation".
Is Elisha a boy or girl name?
Elisha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2039. As a boy name, it is ranked #851. 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 #2039 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Elisha?
Common nicknames for Elisha include Eli, Lisha, and Ely.
What are good middle names for Elisha?
Popular middle name pairings include Elisha Grace, Elisha Faith, Elisha Rose, Elisha Marie, Elisha Ann, and Elisha Joy.
What are good sibling names for Elisha?
Names that pair well with Elisha as siblings include Isaiah, Elijah, Naomi, Miriam, Caleb, and Abigail.
How many syllables does Elisha have?
Elisha has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Elisha a common or rare name?
Elisha is an uncommon name, ranked #2039 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Elisha
Elisha is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, English, and African American origins . The name means "God is my salvation" in Hebrew .
Is Elisha a boy or girl name? Elisha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,039 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #851. Elisha is more commonly used as a boy name.
Elisha is currently ranked #2,039 in popularity for girl 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, Lisha, and Ely. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Elisha include Elise, Elisa, Elisabeth, Elissa, Elisheva . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.