Elijah Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Elijah Name Meaning

Fact: In Jewish tradition, Elijah is honored during the Passover Seder with a special cup of wine, symbolizing hope and future redemption.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Elijah Overview

Meaning

Yahweh is God

Gender

Boy

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Eliyahu,” meaning “My God is Yahweh.”

Religion

Christianity, Islam

Pronunciation

/ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə/

Popularity

Elijah is a name that has found favor worldwide, appearing frequently in countries such as the UK, Australia, and Canada. In 2023, Elijah maintained its high ranking, placing within the top 10 names for boys in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Popular, Traditional, Religious and Spiritual, Cute

Associated Traits

Strong, wise, compassionate

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Elijah is a significant prophet in the Hebrew Bible, revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam for his miracles and dedication to God.

Name Day

July 20th
A Deep Dive

Elijah Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Eli, Elia, Elias, Elie, Elian

Common Nicknames

Lijah, Jah, Elyjay

Diminutives

Elly, Lij, Ely, EJ, El

Famous People

  • Elijah Wood
    (American Actor)
  • Elijah McCoy
    (Canadian-American Inventor)
  • Elijah Muhammad
    (American Religious Leader)
  • Elijah Cummings
    (American Politician)
  • Elijah Kelley
    (American Actor)
  • Elijah Daniel
    (American Comedian)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Elijah Mikaelson
    ("The Originals," TV Series)
  • "Elijah"
    (Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn)
  • Elijah Price
    ("Unbreakable," Film)
  • Elijah Wood
    ("The Lord of the Rings," Film Series)
  • Elijah Baley
    ("The Caves of Steel," Novel)

Places

  • Elijah Community
    (Missouri, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Elijah?

Elijah means “Yahweh is my God” in Hebrew. This name is often given to someone who is faithful and strong-willed, with a deep sense of spirituality and commitment.

What Is the Origin of The Name Elijah?

Elijah has Hebrew origins. It is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu. The name is prominent in the Bible, particularly associated with the prophet Elijah, who was known for his devotion and miraculous deeds.

Elijah Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Elijah in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#42021#52022#52023
Top 3 Rankings#42020#42021#52019

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Elijah

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20235
No change from 2022
11452
(-602 from 2022)
0.62540
20225
(-1 from 2021)
12054
(-753 from 2021)
0.64357
20214
No change from 2020
12807
(-392 from 2020)
0.68355
20204
(+1 from 2019)
13199
(-214 from 2019)
0.71359
20195
(+2 from 2018)
13413
(+406 from 2018)
0.69795
20187
(+1 from 2017)
13007
(-427 from 2017)
0.66917
20178
(+1 from 2016)
13434
(-531 from 2016)
0.67879
20169
(+2 from 2015)
13965
(+262 from 2015)
0.68942
201511
No change from 2014
13703
(-170 from 2014)
0.67026
201411
No change from 2013
13873
(+54 from 2013)
0.67699
201311
(+2 from 2012)
13819
(-83 from 2012)
0.68387
201213
No change from 2011
13902
(-91 from 2011)
0.68510
201113
(+5 from 2010)
13993
(+77 from 2010)
0.68883
201018
(+3 from 2009)
13916
(+1073 from 2009)
0.67737
200921
(+1 from 2008)
12843
(-394 from 2008)
0.60554
200822
(+8 from 2007)
13237
(+818 from 2007)
0.60708
200730
(-1 from 2006)
12419
(+366 from 2006)
0.56066
200629
(+2 from 2005)
12053
(+441 from 2005)
0.54977
200531
No change from 2004
11612
(-100 from 2004)
0.54585
200431
(+6 from 2003)
11712
(+1047 from 2003)
0.55419
200337
(+4 from 2002)
10665
(+612 from 2002)
0.50758
200241
(+4 from 2001)
10053
(+1714 from 2001)
0.48644
200145
(+7 from 2000)
8339
(+867 from 2000)
0.40316
200052
(+8 from 1999)
7472
(+876 from 1999)
0.35780
199960
(+6 from 1998)
6596
(+934 from 1998)
0.32349
199866
(+8 from 1997)
5662
(+574 from 1997)
0.27924
199774
(+7 from 1996)
5088
(+271 from 1996)
0.25468
199681
(+12 from 1995)
4817
(+841 from 1995)
0.24040
199593
(+40 from 1994)
3976
(+1355 from 1994)
0.19768
1994133
(+37 from 1993)
2621
(+739 from 1993)
0.12858
1993170
(+33 from 1992)
1882
(+359 from 1992)
0.09112
1992203
(+19 from 1991)
1523
(+178 from 1991)
0.07255
1991222
(+21 from 1990)
1345
(+206 from 1990)
0.06345
1990243
(+14 from 1989)
1139
(+148 from 1989)
0.05293
1989257
(+9 from 1988)
991
(+105 from 1988)
0.04728
1988266
(+22 from 1987)
886
(+140 from 1987)
0.04425
1987288
(+1 from 1986)
746
(+28 from 1986)
0.03825
1986289
(+10 from 1985)
718
(+37 from 1985)
0.03736
1985299
(+11 from 1984)
681
(+50 from 1984)
0.03539
1984310
(-14 from 1983)
631
(-39 from 1983)
0.03362
1983296
(-16 from 1982)
670
(-69 from 1982)
0.03595
1982280
(-3 from 1981)
739
(-11 from 1981)
0.03916
1981277
(+2 from 1980)
750
(-4 from 1980)
0.04027
1980279
(+10 from 1979)
754
(+57 from 1979)
0.04065
1979289
(+32 from 1978)
697
(+150 from 1978)
0.03891
1978321
(+29 from 1977)
547
(+43 from 1977)
0.03201
1977350
(+100 from 1976)
504
(+203 from 1976)
0.02948
1976450
(+41 from 1975)
301
(+38 from 1975)
0.01844
1975491
(-20 from 1974)
263
(-25 from 1974)
0.01621
1974471
(+66 from 1973)
288
(+76 from 1973)
0.01767
1973537
(+14 from 1972)
212
(+3 from 1972)
0.01314
1972551
(+36 from 1971)
209
(+13 from 1971)
0.01248
1971587
(+9 from 1970)
196
(+12 from 1970)
0.01078
1970596
(+63 from 1969)
184
(+41 from 1969)
0.00966
1969659
(+21 from 1968)
143
(+21 from 1968)
0.00782
1968680
(-36 from 1967)
122
(-12 from 1967)
0.00687
1967644
(-18 from 1966)
134
(-6 from 1966)
0.00753
1966626
(+46 from 1965)
140
(+18 from 1965)
0.00770
1965672
(-54 from 1964)
122
(-39 from 1964)
0.00644
1964618
(+22 from 1963)
161
(+12 from 1963)
0.00794
1963640
(-57 from 1962)
149
(-30 from 1962)
0.00722
1962583
(-21 from 1961)
179
(-15 from 1961)
0.00852
1961562
(+18 from 1960)
194
(+14 from 1960)
0.00899
1960580
(-5 from 1959)
180
(-5 from 1959)
0.00831
1959575
(-43 from 1958)
185
(-23 from 1958)
0.00854
1958532
(-14 from 1957)
208
(-11 from 1957)
0.00965
1957518
(+15 from 1956)
219
(+22 from 1956)
0.01001
1956533
(-56 from 1955)
197
(-38 from 1955)
0.00918
1955477
(-24 from 1954)
235
(-19 from 1954)
0.01124
1954453
(+2 from 1953)
254
(+6 from 1953)
0.01228
1953455
(-24 from 1952)
248
(-15 from 1952)
0.01239
1952431
(+20 from 1951)
263
(+40 from 1951)
0.01333
1951451
(-48 from 1950)
223
(-59 from 1950)
0.01167
1950403
(+12 from 1949)
282
(+15 from 1949)
0.01550
1949415
(+12 from 1948)
267
(+23 from 1948)
0.01482
1948427
(-28 from 1947)
244
(-53 from 1947)
0.01369
1947399
(+27 from 1946)
297
(+75 from 1946)
0.01599
1946426
(-38 from 1945)
222
(-14 from 1945)
0.01345
1945388
(+11 from 1944)
236
(+9 from 1944)
0.01721
1944399
(+18 from 1943)
227
(+7 from 1943)
0.01634
1943417
(-30 from 1942)
220
(-25 from 1942)
0.01512
1942387
(-13 from 1941)
245
(+6 from 1941)
0.01740
1941374
(+30 from 1940)
239
(+38 from 1940)
0.01905
1940404
(-33 from 1939)
201
(-36 from 1939)
0.01695
1939371
(+35 from 1938)
237
(+42 from 1938)
0.02091
1938406
(-24 from 1937)
195
(-15 from 1937)
0.01716
1937382
(-17 from 1936)
210
(-11 from 1936)
0.01920
1936365
(+9 from 1935)
221
(+11 from 1935)
0.02076
1935374
(+4 from 1934)
210
(+1 from 1934)
0.01963
1934378
(+8 from 1933)
209
(+11 from 1933)
0.01968
1933386
(-21 from 1932)
198
(-33 from 1932)
0.01941
1932365
(+35 from 1931)
231
(+33 from 1931)
0.02150
1931400
(-22 from 1930)
198
(-28 from 1930)
0.01851
1930378
(-11 from 1929)
226
(-17 from 1929)
0.02001
1929367
(-2 from 1928)
243
(-12 from 1928)
0.02194
1928365
(-29 from 1927)
255
(-35 from 1927)
0.02235
1927336
(+12 from 1926)
290
(+14 from 1926)
0.02496
1926348
(-1 from 1925)
276
(-7 from 1925)
0.02410
1925347
(+27 from 1924)
283
(+22 from 1924)
0.02458
1924374
(-39 from 1923)
261
(-41 from 1923)
0.02233
1923335
(-8 from 1922)
302
(-9 from 1922)
0.02667
1922327
(+51 from 1921)
311
(+54 from 1921)
0.02764
1921378
(-23 from 1920)
257
(-20 from 1920)
0.02258
1920355
(-28 from 1919)
277
(-18 from 1919)
0.02516
1919327
(+31 from 1918)
295
(+31 from 1918)
0.02905
1918358
(-10 from 1917)
264
(+8 from 1917)
0.02518
1917348
(+5 from 1916)
256
(+24 from 1916)
0.02669
1916353
(-14 from 1915)
232
(-11 from 1915)
0.02513
1915339
No change from 1914
243
(+56 from 1914)
0.02758
1914339
(-4 from 1913)
187
(+38 from 1913)
0.02737
1913335
(-33 from 1912)
149
(+7 from 1912)
0.02779
1912302
(-35 from 1911)
142
(+48 from 1911)
0.03145
1911267
(-34 from 1910)
94
(-7 from 1910)
0.03894
1910233
(-2 from 1909)
101
(+11 from 1909)
0.04844
1909231
(+34 from 1908)
90
(+26 from 1908)
0.05089
1908265
(-32 from 1907)
64
(-12 from 1907)
0.03847
1907233
(+9 from 1906)
76
(+11 from 1906)
0.04792
1906242
(-30 from 1905)
65
(-16 from 1905)
0.04512
1905212
(+30 from 1904)
81
(+21 from 1904)
0.05655
1904242
(-3 from 1903)
60
(+2 from 1903)
0.04332
1903239
(-18 from 1902)
58
(-8 from 1902)
0.04485
1902221
(-38 from 1901)
66
(-13 from 1901)
0.04972
1901183
(+27 from 1900)
79
(-7 from 1900)
0.06834
1900210
(-5 from 1899)
86
(+22 from 1899)
0.05305
1899205
(-8 from 1898)
64
(-12 from 1898)
0.05556
1898197
(+12 from 1897)
76
(+11 from 1897)
0.05753
1897209
(-23 from 1896)
65
(-22 from 1896)
0.05330
1896186
(+8 from 1895)
87
(+12 from 1895)
0.06741
1895194
(+41 from 1894)
75
(+21 from 1894)
0.05922
1894235
(-46 from 1893)
54
(-23 from 1893)
0.04324
1893189
(-5 from 1892)
77
(-8 from 1892)
0.06361
1892184
(+25 from 1891)
85
(+28 from 1891)
0.06466
1891209
(-5 from 1890)
57
(-7 from 1890)
0.05217
1890204
(+4 from 1889)
64
(+3 from 1889)
0.05347
1889208
(-37 from 1888)
61
(-27 from 1888)
0.05125
1888171
(-3 from 1887)
88
(+13 from 1887)
0.06774
1887168
(-16 from 1886)
75
(-18 from 1886)
0.06861
1886152
(+10 from 1885)
93
(+11 from 1885)
0.07812
1885162
(+1 from 1884)
82
(-3 from 1884)
0.07072
1884163
(-30 from 1883)
85
(-7 from 1883)
0.06925
1883133
(-7 from 1882)
92
(-19 from 1882)
0.08180
1882126
(+46 from 1881)
111
(+42 from 1881)
0.09096
1881172
(-37 from 1880)
69
(-31 from 1880)
0.06373
1880135
First SSA data recorded
100
First SSA data recorded
0.08446

American States Popularity Rankings for Elijah

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#82021#92022#92023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#32021#62022#62023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#42021#42022#42023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#282021#282022#312023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#42021#42022#52023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#72021#62022#62023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#72021#62022#62023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#182021#122022#192023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#142021#162022#122023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#52021#62022#52023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#52021#62022#72023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#62021#82022#102023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#42021#62022#52023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#82021#102022#112023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#52021#72022#92023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#52021#62022#62023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#52021#62022#52023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#62021#72022#72023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#412021#402022#432023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#32021#62022#52023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#32021#22022#32023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#102021#102022#152023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#152021#112022#202023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#182021#142022#112023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#222021#132022#152023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#42021#32022#42023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#42021#42022#42023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#332021#272022#332023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#72021#172022#222023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#32021#22022#62023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#92021#72022#72023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#32021#52022#62023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#92021#142022#222023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#262021#292022#272023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#72021#62022#72023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#232021#312022#372023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#32021#112022#82023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#132021#162022#82023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#142021#132022#12023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#212021#112022#192023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#212021#442022#252023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#352021#432022#152023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#152021#142022#92023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#132021#72022#52023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#212021#162022#152023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#232021#262022#242023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#212021#242022#332023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#142021#282022#222023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#282021#202022#372023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#242021#242022#42023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#212021#632022#112023

Popularity Rankings for Elijah in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#32021#72022#12023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#112021#132022#162023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#112021#132022#132023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#302021#292022#412023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#382019#302020#332021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#572021#532022#522023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#662021#942022#782023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#1542021#672022#992023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#1312021#1022022#1032023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1502020#1282021#1482022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1902021#1922022#1722023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#2202020#1862021#1912022

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2612022#4562023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#4972016#3892018#5982019

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Elijah a Name for Boys or Girls?

Elijah is a boy’s name. Its strong biblical roots and powerful sound make it a fitting choice for boys, reflecting qualities of strength and faith.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Elijah

Elijah in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Elijah Wood (Actor, born 1981): An American actor best remembered for his role as Frodo Baggins in "The Lord of the Rings" film series.
  • Elijah McCoy (Inventor, 1844–1929): A Canadian-American inventor celebrated for his contributions to lubrication systems for steam engines.
  • Elijah Muhammad (Religious Leader, 1897–1975): An American religious leader who served as the longtime leader of the Nation of Islam.
  • Elijah Cummings (Politician, 1951–2019): An American politician who served as a U.S. Representative for Maryland's 7th congressional district.
  • Elijah Kelley (Actor, born 1986): An American actor, singer, and dancer noted for his roles in "Hairspray" and "The Wiz Live!"
  • Elijah Daniel (Comedian, born 1994): An American comedian, rapper, and author recognized for his satirical and provocative content.
  • Elijah Mikaelson ("The Originals," 2013 TV Series): An original vampire and a member of the powerful Mikaelson family, known for his loyalty and honor.
  • "Elijah" (1846 Oratorio by Felix Mendelssohn): A musical composition that depicts the biblical story of the prophet Elijah.
  • Elijah Price ("Unbreakable," 2000 Film): Also known as Mr. Glass, a man with brittle bone disease who believes in the existence of superheroes.
  • Elijah Wood ("The Lord of the Rings," 2001 Film Series): An actor known for his role as Frodo Baggins, the hobbit who carries the One Ring to Mordor.
  • Elijah Baley ("The Caves of Steel," 1953 Novel by Isaac Asimov): A detective in a futuristic society who solves crimes with his robot partner.
  • Elijah ("The Young Messiah," 2016 Film): A depiction of the childhood of Jesus Christ, focusing on his early years and the realization of his divine nature.
  • Elijah Krantz ("Girls," 2012 TV Series): A flamboyant and outspoken character who is one of Hannah's closest friends.
  • Elijah Snow ("Planetary," 1999 Comic Series): A century-old adventurer who uncovers hidden histories and protects the world from supernatural threats.
  • "Elijah" (2017 Song by Matthew Blake): A contemporary Christian song reflecting on faith and inspiration.
  • Elijah Muhammad ("The Hate U Give," 2017 Film): A character who represents a strong and influential figure in the community.
  • Elijah Community (Missouri, USA): A small unincorporated community in eastern Ozark County.

Similar Names to Elijah

Sibling Names for Elijah