Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Elimelech
BoyHebrew· “my God is king”
- Meaning
- my God is king
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- eh-lih-MEH-lek
- Syllables
- 4
- US rank 2025
- #3,203
- US babies 2025
- 37
- Best rank
- #2,722 (2005)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Elimelech
Elimelech is a Hebrew name that means “my God is king”.
Elimelech is a Hebrew name meaning my God is king, from Eli, my God, and melekh, king. In the Book of Ruth, Elimelech is the husband of Naomi, who leaves Bethlehem with his family during a famine and dies in Moab, setting the story of Ruth in motion. The name later became closely associated with Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhensk, an eighteenth-century Hasidic leader, and it is still used mostly in Orthodox Jewish families. It is said eh-lih-MEH-lek, and in Yiddish-influenced speech it may be shortened to Meilech. Abimelech and the Hebrew melekh, king, share the royal root.
Popularity over time
Elimelech first appears in US Social Security records in 1967. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,722 in 2005, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 48 were named Elimelech. In 2025, 37 babies were named Elimelech, and it ranked #3,203 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #6,552 in 1980, #3,341 in 2000, #3,393 in 2010, and #3,203 in 2025. Of the 1,140 US boys named Elimelech since records began, 30% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 300 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Augusto, Nicolo, Pascal, Adil, and Amiel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elimelech ranked highest in New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #589 | 26 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Elimelech is usually pronounced eh-lih-MEH-lek, with four syllables. It has nine letters, starts with E and ends in “-ch”.
Middle names for Elimelech
A few middle names that flow with Elimelech: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elimelech
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Lists that include Elimelech
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elimelech mean?
Elimelech is a Hebrew name that means “my God is king”.
What is the origin of the name Elimelech?
Elimelech has Hebrew roots. Elimelech is a Hebrew name meaning my God is king, from Eli, my God, and melekh, king.
Is Elimelech a popular name?
Not especially. Elimelech ranked #3,203 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Elimelech a boy or girl name?
Elimelech is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Elimelech?
Elimelech is usually pronounced eh-lih-MEH-lek. 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