Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Elia
GirlItalian, Hebrew· “my God is Yahweh”
- Meaning
- my God is Yahweh
- Origin
- Italian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- eh-LEE-uh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #970
- US babies 2025
- 263
- Best rank
- #841 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Elia
Elia is an Italian and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “my God is Yahweh”.
Elia is the Italian form of Elijah, from the Hebrew Eliyahu, meaning "my God is Yahweh." In Italy it is traditionally a boy's name, but in English-speaking countries Elia is also chosen for girls, where it can echo names such as Eliana and Cornelia. The biblical prophet Elijah, who challenged the prophets of Baal and was carried to heaven in a whirlwind, gives the name a deep spiritual history. Elia has a light, three-syllable sound and pairs easily with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Elia first appears in US Social Security records in 1884. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 8 different years, starting in 1887. Its best national rank was #841 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 321 babies. In 2025, 263 babies were named Elia, and it ranked #970 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #1,319 in 1920, #1,166 in 1950, #1,919 in 1980, #2,179 in 2000, #1,522 in 2010, and #970 in 2025. Of the 9,084 US girls named Elia since records began, 21% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,715 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Honey, Elani, Anaiah, Kahlani, and Lilia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elia ranked highest in California, Kansas, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #558 | 58 |
| Kansas | #606 | 5 |
| Washington | #632 | 10 |
| Arizona | #644 | 10 |
| Texas | #768 | 39 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 90% of US babies named Elia over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Elia is usually pronounced eh-LEE-uh, with three syllables. It has four letters, starts with E and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Elia
A few middle names that flow with Elia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elia
Similar names
Malia Girl
muh-LEE-uh
“Hawaiian form of Mary” · Hawaiian
#349
Lia Girl
LEE-uh
“short form of names like Amelia” · Italian
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Maria Girl
muh-REE-uh
“form of Mary; meaning uncertain” · Latin
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Gia Girl
JEE-uh
“God is gracious” · Italian
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Alessia Girl
uh-LEH-see-uh
“defender” · Italian
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Aria Girl
AH-ree-uh
“air; solo melody” · Italian
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Lydia Girl
LIH-dee-uh
“woman from Lydia” · Greek
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Daniella Girl
dan-YEHL-uh
“God is my judge” · Hebrew
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Azariah Unisex
a-zuh-RY-uh
“Yahweh has helped” · Hebrew
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Elisha Unisex
ih-LY-shuh
“my God is salvation” · Hebrew
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Hadassah Girl
huh-DAH-suh
“myrtle” · Hebrew
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Keziah Girl
kuh-ZY-uh
“cassia tree” · Hebrew
#767
Lists that include Elia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elia mean?
Elia is an Italian and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Elia?
Elia has Italian and Hebrew roots. Elia is the Italian form of Elijah, from the Hebrew Eliyahu, meaning "my God is Yahweh." In Italy it is traditionally a boy's name, but in English-speaking countries Elia is also chosen for girls, where it can echo names such as Eliana and Cornelia.
Is Elia a popular name?
Yes. Elia ranked #970 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Elia a boy or girl name?
Elia is mainly a girl's name. About 90% of US babies named Elia over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Elia?
Elia is usually pronounced eh-LEE-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings