How to say it
e · LIE · jah
ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə
Masculine
Elijah
My God is Yahweh
What it means
From the Hebrew Eliyahu. The roots are eli (my God) and yahu (Yahweh). A declaration in name form.
The biblical Elijah is one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, remembered for the showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and for being carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. The name moved through Jewish tradition almost unbroken and was picked up by American Puritans, who used it heavily. The European languages mostly inherited the Greek form Elias instead, which is why the same biblical figure appears under two spellings in different Christian traditions. Elijah is currently a US top-five boys' name, often shortened to Eli or Lijah.
How to spell Elijah
The standard spelling is Elijah. Common variants include Eliyahu, Elias, Eliahu, but Elijah is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #4 in 2020, currently #7 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Eli is the standard short and works through every age.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Elijah (Bible) Old Testament prophet who ascended in a whirlwind
- Elijah Wood Actor, Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Spelling variants
- Eliyahu
- Elias
- Eliahu
Names with the same feeling
See Elijah from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Elijah mean?
- From the Hebrew Eliyahu. The roots are eli (my God) and yahu (Yahweh). A declaration in name form.
- What does Elijah mean in Hebrew?
- In Hebrew, Elijah means "My God is Yahweh." The biblical Elijah is one of the major prophets of the Old Testament, remembered for the showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and for being carried to heaven in a chariot of fire. The name moved through Jewish tradition almost unbroken and was picked up by American Puritans, who used it heavily. The European languages mostly inherited the Greek form Elias instead, which is why the same biblical figure appears under two spellings in different Christian traditions. Elijah is currently a US top-five boys' name, often shortened to Eli or Lijah.
- How do you pronounce Elijah?
- Elijah is pronounced ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə. Say it as e-LIE-jah, with the stress on the "lie" syllable.
- How do you spell Elijah?
- The standard spelling is Elijah. Common spelling variants include Eliyahu, Elias, Eliahu.
- Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
- Elijah is traditionally a masculine name.
- How popular is the name Elijah?
- Elijah ranked #7 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.