"my God is Yahweh"
Eliyahu
The prophet's true name — 'My God is Yahweh'
Meaning & Origin
"YHWH is my God"
The Story of Eliyahu
Eliyahu is the original Hebrew form of the prophet Elijah's name, meaning 'My God is Yahweh' — a declaration of faith embedded in the name itself. The name combines 'El' (God) and 'Yah' (the divine name), with the suffix expressing possession. Eliyahu HaNavi (Elijah the Prophet) is one of the most revered figures in the Hebrew Bible, known for his unwavering monotheism and his dramatic ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire.
Eliyahu has grown steadily in Israel and among Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities worldwide as parents prefer the authentic Hebrew form over the anglicized Elijah. In Israel, it consistently ranks among the top baby names. In diaspora communities, it signals a strong connection to Hebrew tradition.
Eliyahu occupies a unique place in Jewish tradition — he is the prophet expected to herald the Messiah, and a cup of wine is poured for him at every Passover Seder. The blessing 'Eliyahu HaNavi' is sung at Havdalah, closing the Sabbath. Naming a son Eliyahu is seen as invoking this protective, prophetic spirit.
Fun Facts
- Elijah/Eliyahu is one of only two biblical figures said to have ascended to heaven without dying
- A chair called 'Elijah's Chair' is reserved at every Jewish circumcision ceremony
- The prophet is mentioned in the Quran as Ilyas, highly revered in Islam as well
Eliyahu in Other Languages
Famous People Named Eliyahu
Eliyahu Goldratt
Business
1947
Israeli physicist and business management theorist, author of The Goal
Eliyahu HaNavi
Religious
The biblical prophet Elijah, one of the most prominent figures in the Hebrew Bible, known for miracles and monotheistic ...
The biblical prophet Elijah, one of the most prominent figures in the Hebrew Bible, known for miracles and monotheistic zeal
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 4
- Popularity Rank
- #1,264
- Total SSA Count
- 156
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Hebrew Israeli
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Low
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Eliyahu
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About the Name Eliyahu
Eliyahu is a boy name with Jewish, Hebrew, and Israeli origins . The name means "my God is Yahweh" in Hebrew .
Eliyahu is currently ranked #1,264 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Eliyahu has 4 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Eliyahu include Eli and Yahu. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Eliyahu include Eliyah, Eliyas . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.