Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Elisha
UnisexHebrew· “my God is salvation”
- Meaning
- my God is salvation
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- ih-LY-shuh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #789
- US babies 2025
- 322
- Best rank
- #255 (1883)
- Peak year
- 2008
Meaning and origin of Elisha
Elisha is a Hebrew name that means “my God is salvation”.
Elisha comes from the Hebrew Elisha, meaning "my God is salvation" or "God is salvation". In the Books of Kings, Elisha is the prophet who succeeds Elijah, receiving his mantle, and many miracles are attributed to him. The name was used by English Puritans and in colonial America, where Elisha Otis, the inventor of the safety elevator, is a well-known bearer. In the United States it is pronounced ih-LY-shuh and is used for both boys and girls, sometimes pronounced like Alicia for girls. Eli is a natural short form.
Popularity over time
Elisha 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 113 different years. Its best national rank was #255 in 1883, and the most babies received it in 2008, when 392 were named Elisha. In 2025, 322 babies were named Elisha, and it ranked #789 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #795 in 1920, #993 in 1950, #832 in 1980, #653 in 2000, #659 in 2010, and #789 in 2025. Of the 15,668 US boys named Elisha since records began, 22% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 3,151 babies. Since 2010, 4,882 more have been named Elisha.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Jaylyn, Jaydin, Haiden, Jordin, and Kadyn.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Elisha ranked highest in South Carolina, Alabama, and Kansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | #449 | 11 |
| Alabama | #460 | 11 |
| Kansas | #479 | 7 |
| Kentucky | #493 | 9 |
| Tennessee | #504 | 15 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Elisha is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Elisha were girls and 72% were boys.
Elisha is usually pronounced ih-LY-shuh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with E and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Elisha
A few middle names that flow with Elisha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Elisha
Similar names
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Lists that include Elisha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Elisha mean?
Elisha is a Hebrew name that means “my God is salvation”.
What is the origin of the name Elisha?
Elisha has Hebrew roots. Elisha comes from the Hebrew Elisha, meaning "my God is salvation" or "God is salvation".
Is Elisha a popular name?
Yes. Elisha ranked #789 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Elisha a boy or girl name?
Elisha is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 28% of US babies named Elisha were girls and 72% were boys.
How do you pronounce Elisha?
Elisha is usually pronounced ih-LY-shuh. 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