William Boy
WIHL-yuhm
“resolute protector” · Germanic
#9
Elijah
BoyHebrew· “my God is Yahweh”
- Meaning
- my God is Yahweh
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-LY-juh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #7
- US babies 2025
- 11,111
- Best rank
- #4 (2020)
- Peak year
- 2011
Meaning and origin of Elijah
Elijah is a Hebrew name that means “my God is Yahweh”.
Elijah comes from the Hebrew Eliyyahu, meaning "my God is Yahweh". In the Books of Kings, Elijah is a fiery prophet who challenges the prophets of Baal and is carried to heaven in a whirlwind. He holds a special place in Jewish tradition, where a cup is set out for him at the Passover meal, and he is honored in Christianity and in Islam, where he is known as Ilyas. English Puritans used the name, and it stayed familiar in America through figures such as the abolitionist editor Elijah Lovejoy. In recent decades Elijah has become a leading choice for boys. It has a soft, lyrical sound, and Eli is the natural nickname.
Popularity over time
Elijah has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #4 in 2020, and the most babies received it in 2011, when 14,001 were named Elijah. In 2025, 11,111 babies were named Elijah, and it ranked #7 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #356 in 1920, #403 in 1950, #279 in 1980, #52 in 2000, #18 in 2010, and #7 in 2025. Of the 380,611 US boys named Elijah since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 110,421 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Landon, Brayden, Mason, Eli, and Jeremiah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elijah ranked highest in Hawaii, Florida, and Georgia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Elijah is usually pronounced ih-LY-juh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-ah”.
Middle names for Elijah
A few middle names that flow with Elijah: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elijah
Similar names
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eye-ZAY-uh
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Lists that include Elijah
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elijah mean?
Elijah is a Hebrew name that means “my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Elijah?
Elijah has Hebrew roots. Elijah comes from the Hebrew Eliyyahu, meaning "my God is Yahweh".
Is Elijah a popular name?
Yes. Elijah ranked #7 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
Elijah is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Elijah?
Elijah 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