Elija
Elija is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
My God is Yahweh.
Origin and history
Elija is a variant spelling of Elijah, a name derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu. It carries the traditional meaning 'My God is Yahweh.' While Elijah is exceptionally popular in the United States, Elija remains a rare and distinctive alternative spelling.
Popularity in the United States
1,169 babies in the United States have been named Elija since 1880. It ranks #3526 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1808.
States where it is most popular
- CA (60.5 %)
- TX (30.3 %)
- PA (5 %)
- NY (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 42 |
| 1920-1930 | 34 |
| 1930-1940 | 10 |
| 1940-1950 | 0 |
| 1950-1960 | 0 |
| 1960-1970 | 0 |
| 1970-1980 | 7 |
| 1980-1990 | 68 |
| 1990-2000 | 142 |
| 2000-2010 | 414 |
| 2010-2019 | 328 |
| 2020-2029 | 119 |
Nicknames
Eli, Lijah
Fun facts
- Elija serves as a simplified or phonetic variation of the classic Biblical name Elijah, which has consistently ranked among the top male names in the U.S.
- The spelling Elija appears in several European languages, including German and Slavic tongues, where 'j' represents a soft 'y' sound.