Elijah
Elijah is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
My God is Yahweh.
Origin and history
Elijah is a classic name of Hebrew origin meaning 'my God is Yahweh'. It has deep biblical roots through the Old Testament prophet of the same name. In the 21st century, Elijah has surged in popularity in the United States, becoming one of the top five choices for boys.
Popularity in the United States
380,611 babies in the United States have been named Elijah since 1880. It ranks #92 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #5.
States where it is most popular
- CA (11.1 %)
- TX (9.3 %)
- FL (6.3 %)
- NY (4.9 %)
- GA (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 856 |
| 1890-1900 | 704 |
| 1900-1910 | 725 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,963 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,755 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,135 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,399 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,314 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,524 |
| 1970-1980 | 3,400 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,567 |
| 1990-2000 | 34,652 |
| 2000-2010 | 110,421 |
| 2010-2019 | 137,147 |
| 2020-2029 | 72,049 |
Famous people named Elijah
- Elijah Wood: Actor, Producer
- Elijah McCoy: Inventor, Engineer
- Elijah Cummings: Politician, Civil Rights Advocate
Nicknames
Eli, Lije
Fun facts
- According to the Books of Kings, Elijah performed miracles and was carried up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
- While used continuously for centuries, Elijah entered the top 10 U.S. male names in the late 2010s and has remained there since.