Elijah: Name Guide
Quick Summary: Elijah is a male name of Hebrew origin, meaning "My God is Yahweh". It has experienced a remarkable resurgence in modern times, rising from near-obscurity to become one of America's most popular boys' names.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Hebrew |
| Meaning | My God is Yahweh |
| Gender | Male |
| Pronunciation | eh-LY-jah |
Etymology of Elijah
Elijah derives from the Hebrew name אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyyahu), often interpreted as meaning "my God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God". The name is composed of two elements: אֵל (El), meaning "God", and יָהּ (Yah), a shortened form of Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God.
The name entered English through the biblical tradition, transliterated from the Greek Ἠλίας (Elias) in the Septuagint and Latin Vulgate. The form "Elijah" represents a closer approximation to the original Hebrew pronunciation than the Latinized "Elias".
The theological significance of the name is clear: it represents a declaration of monotheistic faith, asserting the supremacy of Yahweh over other deities. This was particularly relevant in the context of ancient Israel, where the prophet Elijah famously confronted the prophets of Baal.
History of Elijah
Origins and Early Use
Elijah first appears in the Hebrew Bible as the name of one of the most prominent prophets in the Old Testament. Elijah the prophet lived in the 9th century BCE during the reign of King Ahab of Israel, performing miracles and defending monotheism against the worship of Baal. His dramatic ascension to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11) made him a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions.
Despite the prophet's significance, the name Elijah remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries for most of history, overshadowed by its variant Elias.
Rise to Popularity
The name's modern trajectory in the United States shows one of the most dramatic revivals in naming history:
| Era | Event | Impact on Name |
|---|---|---|
| Early 1900s | Traditional biblical usage | Ranked #211, modest use among religious families |
| 1960s-1970s | Post-war decline | Dropped to #580, nearly forgotten |
| 1980s-1990s | Biblical revival begins | Climbed to #279 as religious names regained favor |
| 2000s | Mainstream breakthrough | Surged to #52, no longer confined to religious contexts |
| 2010s-2020s | Peak popularity | Reached #4 (2020), became a top-tier American name |
Modern Usage
Today, Elijah ranks #8 in the United States (2024) with 11,171 births. The name has transcended its purely religious associations to become a mainstream choice across diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Its appeal lies in its strong biblical heritage combined with a modern sound that fits contemporary naming trends favoring vowel-heavy, melodic names.
The name's popularity has been sustained by celebrity usage (Elijah Wood, Elijah Muhammad), its use in popular culture, and parents seeking names that balance traditional gravitas with contemporary appeal.
Key insight: This name rose because of a broader cultural shift toward Old Testament names in the late 20th century, combining spiritual significance with a distinctive, melodic sound that appealed beyond religious communities.
Why people choose this name: People tend to choose Elijah when they want to convey both spiritual depth and modern vitality, especially in contexts involving faith, tradition, and cultural heritage while maintaining contemporary relevance.
Variants of Elijah
| Language | Form | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English | Elias, Eli | Elias is the Greek/Latin form; Eli is a common short form |
| Hebrew | Eliyahu | Original Hebrew form |
| Arabic | Ilyas | Used in Islamic tradition |
| Greek | Elias | Traditional Greek form |
| Spanish | Elías | Spanish variant with accent |
| Russian | Ilya | Slavic variant |
| Finnish | Eeli, Eelis | Finnish adaptations |
For digital IDs, shorter forms tend to be more practical than full international variants. Consider length, spelling clarity, and memorability.
Nicknames
Common nicknames include:
- Eli
- Lijah
- Lige (traditional, now rare)
Similar Names
- Elias - Greek/Latin form of the same name
- Elisha - Another Hebrew prophet's name meaning "God is salvation"
- Isaiah - Hebrew prophet's name meaning "Yahweh is salvation"
- Ezra - Hebrew name meaning "help", shares similar Old Testament appeal
Elijah Popularity
US Rankings (SSA Data)
| Decade | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1900s | #211 | 86 |
| 1920s | #356 | 277 |
| 1940s | #405 | 201 |
| 1960s | #580 | 180 |
| 1980s | #279 | 754 |
| 2000s | #52 | 7,472 |
| 2020s | #4 | 13,224 |
| 2024s | #8 | 11,171 |
Peak: 2020, ranked #4 (13,224 births)
Current (2024): #8 (11,171 births)
Trend analysis: Elijah experienced one of the most remarkable revivals in American naming history, surging from near-obscurity (#580 in the 1960s) to the top 10 by 2020. This reflects broader trends toward Old Testament names and parents seeking names with deep spiritual roots that still sound modern and accessible.
Note: Popularity rankings reflect birth records and do not necessarily indicate current digital usage or username availability.
Elijah as a Username
Availability
"elijah" as a username is very likely taken on major platforms due to its high popularity. The name ranks in the top 10 for births, making standalone availability extremely rare.
Variations for IDs
| Style | Example | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | elijah | Professional (if available) |
| With numbers | elijah99, elijah24 | Gaming, casual platforms |
| Abbreviated | eli, lijah | Social media, brevity-focused |
| Stylized | xelijah, elijahx | Creative, preserves core sound |
| With underscore | elijah_official, the_elijah | Instagram, TikTok |
Digital Impression
Elijah as an ID tends to project:
- Spiritual depth - because of its strong biblical associations and prophetic heritage
- Modern accessibility - because despite ancient origins, it sounds contemporary and fits current naming trends
- Cultural literacy - because it signals familiarity with religious tradition without being overtly pious
Best for: Personal branding, faith-based communities, creative profiles, platforms where a strong but approachable identity is valued
Avoid if: you prefer highly unique or abstract usernames, or seek something with no religious connotations.
Is Elijah good for a username?
Elijah works well as a username if you value names with spiritual significance, historical depth, and modern appeal. However, due to its top-10 popularity level, you will almost certainly need variations like "elijahofficial", "eli_" or number combinations to secure availability on major platforms.
FAQ
What does Elijah mean?
Elijah means "my God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God" from Hebrew. It represents a declaration of monotheistic faith.
Is Elijah popular?
According to SSA data, Elijah ranks #8 in the US (2024). It is currently stable after peaking at #4 in 2020, remaining one of America's most popular boys' names.
What are nicknames for Elijah?
Common nicknames include Eli, Lijah, and the traditional (now rare) Lige.
Is Elijah a boy's or girl's name?
Elijah is traditionally and overwhelmingly a male name. It is used almost exclusively for boys in modern contexts.
How do you pronounce Elijah?
Elijah is pronounced eh-LY-jah (eh-LY-jah). The emphasis is on the middle syllable, with a long "i" sound.
Is Elijah good for a username?
Elijah works well as a username if you value spiritual depth and modern appeal, though high popularity means availability will require variations like "xelijah" or number combinations.
Related Names
- Elias - Greek/Latin form of Elijah, sharing the same origin and meaning
- Eli - Shortened form, often preferred for digital IDs due to brevity
- Isaiah - Another major Hebrew prophet's name with similar spiritual significance
Sources: SSA Baby Names (ssa.gov), Oxford Dictionary of First Names Last updated: February 2026