Ilijah Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ih-LIE-jah //ɪˈlaɪ.dʒə//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: My God is Yahweh (Hebrew); variant of Elijah (English)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ilijah is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, which means "My God is Yahweh." The etymological roots can be traced back to the Hebrew language, where "El" signifies "God" and "Yah" is a shortened form of "Yahweh," the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This name was subsequently transliterated into Greek as Elias and later into Latin as Elia, before making its way into Old French as Élie.
The transition into English occurred through the influence of the Latin and Old French forms, particularly during the Middle Ages, when biblical names became more prominent in English-speaking regions due to the spread of Christianity and the translation of religious texts. Historically, the name Ilijah is closely associated with the biblical prophet Elijah, a significant figure in the Hebrew Bible, who is noted for his role in defending the worship of Yahweh against the Canaanite deity Baal.
Elijah's story is primarily found in the Books of Kings, dating back to the 9th century BCE. His narrative includes miraculous events and a dramatic ascension to heaven, which has made him a revered figure in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
The name has also been borne by various saints and notable figures throughout history, contributing to its enduring legacy. Culturally, the name Ilijah carries connotations of strength, faith, and divine connection, reflecting the attributes associated with the biblical Elijah.
In Jewish tradition, Elijah is expected to return as a precursor to the Messiah, further enhancing the name's significance. The diminutive form "Eli" is also historically relevant, often used as a familiar or affectionate variant.
Overall, Ilijah embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical importance, and cultural resonance that has allowed it to persist through the centuries.
Famous people named Ilijah
In this section, you will find notable people named Ilijah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ilijah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ilijah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Ilijah Marjanovic is a basketball player best known for his time with the Serbian national team and various European clubs.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ilijah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ilijah was first seen in the United States in 1996.
Ilijah has ranked as high as #1349 nationally, which occurred in 2012, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Georgia, and Colorado.
In the past 5 years the name Ilijah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ilijah 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 Ilijah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ilijah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 6 |
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 Ilijah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2016 | 26 |
| 2015 | 24 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2013 | 23 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2011 | 29 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2009 | 22 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2007 | 24 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2003 | 20 |
| 2002 | 19 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2000 | 12 |
| 1999 | 8 |
| 1998 | 8 |
| 1996 | 8 |