Elijah: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

Boy name origins & meanings

What does Elijah mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Hebrew: "Yahweh is my God"

Gender: Male

Syllables: 3

Pronunciation: The name Elijah is pronounced: ih-lye-jah

The name Elijah has been derived from the Biblical figure by the same name, and comes from the Hebrew words Eli meaning "my God" and Yah referring to "Yahweh", thus translating to "My God is Yahweh." It is a popular Old Testament name widely associated with the prophet Elijah, who is known for his miracles and role in turning the people of Israel back to God. The name signifies divine strength and faith.

Boy name variations

Family name origins & meanings

Welsh, Jewish, and American: from the personal name Elijah, the usual English transliteration in the King James Bible (Old Testament) of the Hebrew name Eliyahu "Jehovah is God", and is the name of one of the Biblical prophets (see Elias).

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Elijah in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Elijah Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries - A noble vampire of remarkable morality, strikingly different from his more violent family members.
Elijah Price from Unbreakable and Glass - A comic book art gallery owner with a rare disease that makes his bones extremely fragile.
Elijah Baley from Robot Series by Isaac Asimov - A seasoned New York City detective who solves crimes in a futuristic society alongside his robot partner.
Elijah Krantz from Girls - The witty and outspoken aspiring actor who is also Hannah's ex-boyfriend and later, close friend.

Popularity of the Name Elijah

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Elijah has gained significant popularity in the United States in recent years. As of the latest rankings, Elijah is listed as the 9th most popular boy's name in the country.

This name has a rich history, with notable historical figures bearing the name such as the prophet Elijah from the Old Testament. Historical figures with the name include Elijah McCoy, the inventor whose high-quality industrial inventions gave rise to the phrase "the real McCoy." In modern pop culture, actors like Elijah Wood (from The Lord of the Rings trilogy) and writers like Elijah Anderson have brought prominence to the name. Moreover, fictional characters such as Elijah Mikaelson from The Vampire Diaries and Elijah from The Walking Dead have further contributed to the name's recognition in popular media.   