Elijah Boy
Origin(s)
Pronunciationih-LIE-jah / ɪˈlaɪdʒəHebrew; English
Meaning
Hebrew: My God is Yahweh
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Elijah originates from the Hebrew name אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu), which translates to "My God is Yahweh." The name is composed of two elements: "El," meaning God, and "Yah," a shortened form of Yahweh, the personal name of the God of Israel. The transition of the name into English occurred through the Greek form Ἠλίας (Elias) and the Latin form Elias, which were used in early Christian texts. The name was adopted into Old French as Élie before finally entering Middle English as Elijah, particularly through the influence of the Bible and religious texts during the Middle Ages.
Elijah is a significant biblical figure, known as a prophet in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the books of Kings, where he appears prominently in the 9th century BCE. He is celebrated for his role in defending the worship of Yahweh against the Canaanite deity Baal and is associated with miracles and prophetic acts. The name gained further prominence through the Christian tradition, where Elijah is recognized as a precursor to John the Baptist and is mentioned in the New Testament. The translation of the Bible into various languages, including the King James Version in the early 17th century, helped solidify the name's presence in Christian contexts.
Culturally, Elijah has been a symbol of faith and divine intervention, often associated with themes of hope and redemption. In Jewish tradition, Elijah is expected to return as a forerunner of the Messiah, making his name resonate deeply within religious practices and beliefs. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Eli, which have been used in different cultures. Overall, the enduring legacy of Elijah reflects its deep roots in religious history and its continued significance in various cultural narratives.
Trend Summary
Elijah has seen a steady increase in popularity in the United States, consistently ranking among the top names for boys.
Similar Names
Variants
- Elia
- Eli
International Variants
- Elias (Greek)
- Elia (Italian)
- Ilyas (Arabic)
- Elías (Spanish)
Famous people named Elijah
Elijah Wood is an actor best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and Wilfred.
Elijah Kelley is an actor and singer best known for Hairspray, The Butler, and The Wiz Live!
Elijah Jordan Wood is a voice actor best known for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings video games.
Fictional characters named Elijah
Elijah Mikaelson is a fictional character from the TV series The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals. He is a member of the Original vampire family and often serves as a protector of his loved ones, showcasing a complex moral code.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Elijah was first seen in the United States in 1880. Elijah has ranked as high as #19 nationally, which occurred in 2011, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Georgia. In the past 5 years the name Elijah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Elijah (2024)
State | Births | Share |
---|---|---|
TX | 1,434 | |
CA | 1,257 | |
FL | 841 | |
GA | 412 | |
NC | 411 | |
NY | 402 | |
OH | 377 | |
PA | 331 | |
TN | 322 | |
MI | 311 | |
VA | 308 | |
IL | 280 | |
IN | 265 | |
AZ | 259 | |
WA | 244 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
Year | Births |
---|---|
1880 | 100 |
1881 | 69 |
1882 | 111 |
1883 | 92 |
1884 | 85 |
1885 | 82 |
1886 | 93 |
1887 | 75 |
1888 | 88 |
1889 | 61 |
1890 | 64 |
1891 | 57 |
1892 | 85 |
1893 | 77 |
1894 | 54 |
1895 | 75 |
1896 | 87 |
1897 | 65 |
1898 | 76 |
1899 | 64 |
1900 | 86 |
1901 | 79 |
1902 | 66 |
1903 | 58 |
1904 | 60 |
1905 | 81 |
1906 | 65 |
1907 | 76 |
1908 | 64 |
1909 | 90 |
1910 | 101 |
1911 | 94 |
1912 | 142 |
1913 | 149 |
1914 | 187 |
1915 | 243 |
1916 | 232 |
1917 | 256 |
1918 | 264 |
1919 | 295 |
1920 | 277 |
1921 | 257 |
1922 | 311 |
1923 | 302 |
1924 | 261 |
1925 | 283 |
1926 | 276 |
1927 | 290 |
1928 | 255 |
1929 | 243 |
1930 | 226 |
1931 | 198 |
1932 | 231 |
1933 | 198 |
1934 | 209 |
1935 | 210 |
1936 | 221 |
1937 | 210 |
1938 | 195 |
1939 | 237 |
1940 | 201 |
1941 | 239 |
1942 | 245 |
1943 | 221 |
1944 | 227 |
1945 | 237 |
1946 | 222 |
1947 | 296 |
1948 | 244 |
1949 | 267 |
1950 | 282 |
1951 | 223 |
1952 | 263 |
1953 | 248 |
1954 | 254 |
1955 | 235 |
1956 | 197 |
1957 | 218 |
1958 | 209 |
1959 | 185 |
1960 | 180 |
1961 | 194 |
1962 | 179 |
1963 | 149 |
1964 | 161 |
1965 | 122 |
1966 | 140 |
1967 | 134 |
1968 | 122 |
1969 | 143 |
1970 | 184 |
1971 | 196 |
1972 | 209 |
1973 | 212 |
1974 | 288 |
1975 | 263 |
1976 | 302 |
1977 | 504 |
1978 | 548 |
1979 | 696 |
1980 | 754 |
1981 | 750 |
1982 | 739 |
1983 | 671 |
1984 | 631 |
1985 | 681 |
1986 | 718 |
1987 | 746 |
1988 | 886 |
1989 | 991 |
1990 | 1,139 |
1991 | 1,345 |
1992 | 1,523 |
1993 | 1,882 |
1994 | 2,621 |
1995 | 3,976 |
1996 | 4,818 |
1997 | 5,089 |
1998 | 5,662 |
1999 | 6,596 |
2000 | 7,472 |
2001 | 8,339 |
2002 | 10,053 |
2003 | 10,665 |
2004 | 11,714 |
2005 | 11,612 |
2006 | 12,055 |
2007 | 12,424 |
2008 | 13,239 |
2009 | 12,845 |
2010 | 13,919 |
2011 | 13,997 |
2012 | 13,909 |
2013 | 13,826 |
2014 | 13,881 |
2015 | 13,707 |
2016 | 13,970 |
2017 | 13,444 |
2018 | 13,012 |
2019 | 13,428 |
2020 | 13,224 |
2021 | 12,825 |
2022 | 12,075 |
2023 | 11,503 |
2024 | 11,171 |