Skip to content

Name meaning & originElijah אֱלִיָּהוּ

/ee-LY-jah/

HebrewBoy
Make a name keepsake

Elijah is a Hebrew boy's name pronounced /ee-LY-jah/. A powerful declaration meaning 'My God is Yahweh'.

Share this name

WhatsAppPinterest

Meaning of Elijah

A powerful declaration meaning 'My God is Yahweh'.

The name is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, composed of 'Eli' (my God) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh). In the Old Testament, Elijah was a major prophet who defended the worship of the Hebrew God over the Canaanite deity Baal. According to biblical tradition, he did not die but was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire.

Origin
Hebrew
Pronunciation
/ee-LY-jah/

Cultural background

The name remains a staple in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions and has seen a massive surge in secular popularity in English-speaking countries since the late 1990s.

Variations & nicknames

  • Elias
  • Eliot
  • Ilya
  • Elia
  • Eli
  • Eliseo

Famous people named Elijah

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Elijah Wood

    American actor best known for playing Frodo Baggins.

    Film · Modern

  • Elijah McCoy

    Canadian-American inventor and engineer with 57 patents.

    Science · 19th-20th Century

  • Elijah Cummings

    American politician and civil rights advocate.

    Politics · Modern

  • Elijah Muhammad

    Leader of the Nation of Islam.

    Religion · 20th Century

  • Elijah Mikaelson

    Major fictional character in The Vampire Diaries franchise.

    Television · Modern

Frequently asked about Elijah

Is Elijah a biblical name?
Yes, it is a prominent biblical name belonging to a Hebrew prophet in the Books of Kings.
What is the female version of Elijah?
While Elijah is traditionally male, feminine variations include Eliana, Iliana, or the rare Elijana.
Is Elijah a popular name today?
Yes, Elijah has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States and United Kingdom for several years.

Love Elijah? Get more names like it

We'll email you 5 fresh Hebrew names each week — free, no spam.

By signing up you agree to get these name emails. We use your email only for them; unsubscribe any time from privacy requests. See our privacy policy. 18+ only.

Compare Elijah with…

Side-by-side meaning, sound and popularity.

More Hebrew names

See all Hebrew names
Find more names like Elijah