Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Elija
BoyHebrew· “variant of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”
- Meaning
- variant of Elijah; my God is Yahweh
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-LY-juh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #6,217
- US babies 2025
- 14
- Best rank
- #1,013 (1889)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Elija
Elija is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”.
Elija is a spelling of Elijah, the Hebrew name meaning my God is Yahweh. In the Bible Elijah is a prophet who challenges the prophets of Baal and is taken to heaven in a whirlwind. The spelling Elija drops the final h, which is how the name is written in some European languages, including German and Dutch. It is said ih-LY-juh in English, while German speakers say eh-LEE-yah. Elijah and Elias are related forms. Because the h is silent in English, the spelling does not change the sound.
Popularity over time
Elija first appears in US Social Security records in 1889. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,013 in 1889, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 56 were named Elija. In 2025, 14 babies were named Elija, and it ranked #6,217 nationally. That is 67% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,245 in 1980, #3,235 in 2000, #2,837 in 2010, and #6,217 in 2025. Of the 1,169 US boys named Elija since records began, 35% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 328 babies. Since 2010, 447 more have been named Elija.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Avin, Donivan, Eliazar, Taylon, and Geronimo.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Elija is usually pronounced ih-LY-juh, with three syllables. It has five letters, starts with E and ends in “-ja”.
Middle names for Elija
A few middle names that flow with Elija: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elija
Similar names
Elijah Boy
ih-LY-juh
“my God is Yahweh” · Hebrew
#7
Benjamin Boy
BEHN-juh-muhn
“son of the right hand” · Hebrew
#11
Joshua Boy
JAH-shoo-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
#66
Gabriel Boy
GAY-bree-uhl
“God is my strength” · Hebrew
#37
Jonathan Boy
JAH-nuh-thuhn
“Yahweh has given” · Hebrew
#89
Isaiah Boy
eye-ZAY-uh
“Yahweh is salvation” · Hebrew
#57
Mateo Boy
mah-TAY-oh
“gift of God” · Spanish
#8
Josiah Boy
joh-SY-uh
“Yahweh supports” · Hebrew
#54
Zachary Boy
ZA-kur-ee
“Yahweh remembers” · Hebrew
#216
Elias Boy
ih-LY-uhs
“my God is Yahweh” · Greek
#13
Nathaniel Boy
nuh-THAN-yuhl
“God has given” · Hebrew
#140
Ezekiel Boy
ih-ZEE-kee-uhl
“God strengthens” · Hebrew
#61
Lists that include Elija
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elija mean?
Elija is a Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Elija?
Elija has Hebrew roots. Elija is a spelling of Elijah, the Hebrew name meaning my God is Yahweh.
Is Elija a popular name?
Not especially. Elija ranked #6,217 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Elija a boy or girl name?
Elija is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Elija?
Elija is usually pronounced ih-LY-juh. 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