Elijah
Gender: Boy
Meaning: My God is Yahweh
Origin: Hebrew — from Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ)
Popularity: Ranked #7 in 2025 with 11,111 babies born.
History: Elijah is the Old Testament prophet who called down fire from heaven and was carried to the sky in a chariot of flames — one of the Bible's most dramatic figures. The name was common in early America among Puritan families, then dipped in the 20th century. It began climbing again in the 1990s and has been in the U.S. top 10 since 2016. Its rhythm, strong meaning, and the nickname Eli have made it a perennial favorite.
Famous people named Elijah: Elijah Wood (actor), Elijah Muhammad (leader), Elijah Mikaelson (The Originals)
Name length: 6 letters
How common is Elijah? About 1 in 299 babies born in 2025 were named Elijah, or roughly 30.5 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Elijah
What does the name Elijah mean?
Elijah means “My God is Yahweh” from Hebrew — from Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ) roots.
What is the origin of the name Elijah?
Elijah has Hebrew — from Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ) origin. The traditional meaning is “My God is Yahweh”.
How popular is Elijah?
Elijah ranked #7 in 2025 — given to 11,111 babies that year.
When was Elijah most popular?
Elijah peaked in 2011 with 13,997 babies registered that year.
Is Elijah a boy or girl name?
Elijah is predominantly a boys' name — over 90% of Elijahs in registered births are male.
Is the name Elijah rising or falling in popularity?
Elijah has risen 4377 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #4384 in 2020 to #7 in 2025.
How long has Elijah been recorded?
Elijah appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.