Eliyah Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EL-ee-yah /ˈɛliˌjɑ/
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: My God is Yahweh (Hebrew); variant of Elijah (English)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Eliyah has its roots in the Hebrew language, derived from the name אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu), which means "My God is Yahweh." The name is a combination of "El," meaning God, and "Yah," a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This name transitioned into Greek as Ἠλίας (Elias) and later into Latin as Elias, before being adapted into Old French and subsequently into English as Elijah.
The feminine form Eliyah has emerged in modern contexts, often as a variation of the traditional Elijah, reflecting a growing trend of gender-neutral or feminine adaptations of historically masculine names. Historically, the name Eliyah is associated with the biblical prophet Elijah, a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible who lived during the 9th century BCE.
Elijah is known for his role in defending the worship of Yahweh against the Canaanite god Baal and is celebrated for his miraculous deeds, including the resurrection of the widow's son and calling down fire from heaven. His story is recounted in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, and he is considered a precursor to the Messiah in Jewish tradition.
The name gained further prominence through its inclusion in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version in the early 17th century. Culturally, the name Eliyah carries significant resonance within Jewish and Christian traditions, symbolizing faith and divine connection.
The figure of Elijah is often invoked in religious rituals, such as the Passover Seder, where a cup of wine is set aside for him, signifying hope for redemption. The name's enduring legacy is reflected in its use across various cultures and languages, often associated with themes of prophecy and divine intervention.
The diminutive form "Eli" is also commonly used, highlighting the name's versatility and affectionate appeal.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Eliyah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Eliyah was first seen in the United States in 1991.
Eliyah has ranked as high as #3165 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Eliyah has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Eliyah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Eliyah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Eliyah.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 92 | 35 | 57 |
| 2024 | 119 | 29 | 90 |
| 2023 | 101 | 34 | 67 |
| 2022 | 108 | 38 | 70 |
| 2021 | 110 | 43 | 67 |
| 2020 | 101 | 40 | 61 |
| 2019 | 116 | 44 | 72 |
| 2018 | 103 | 30 | 73 |
| 2017 | 78 | 26 | 52 |
| 2016 | 85 | 27 | 58 |
| 2015 | 104 | 32 | 72 |
| 2014 | 95 | 28 | 67 |
| 2013 | 100 | 37 | 63 |
| 2012 | 85 | 29 | 56 |
| 2011 | 97 | 35 | 62 |
| 2010 | 75 | 25 | 50 |
| 2009 | 77 | 25 | 52 |
| 2008 | 84 | 24 | 60 |
| 2007 | 57 | 16 | 41 |
| 2006 | 56 | 21 | 35 |
| 2005 | 51 | 17 | 34 |
| 2004 | 42 | 18 | 24 |
| 2003 | 52 | 18 | 34 |
| 2002 | 34 | 11 | 23 |
| 2001 | 49 | 18 | 31 |
| 2000 | 27 | 11 | 16 |
| 1999 | 33 | 14 | 19 |
| 1998 | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| 1997 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1996 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 1995 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 1994 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1993 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1992 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1991 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Eliyah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| FL | 15 | |
| TX | 15 | |
| CA | 10 | |
| TN | 6 |