Rising since 2003, #4,265 for girls today.
Popularity of Elah since 1905
Babies named Elah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elah's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 6 |
| 1920s | 12 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 65 |
| 2010s | 180 |
| 2020s | 122 |
Meaning & origin
Elah is a rare feminine name in the United States, first recorded in 1905. After a long period of obscurity, it began a steady climb in usage starting in 2003, reaching its peak rank of 4,265 in 2025. That year, approximately 1 in 48,705 newborn girls received the name. The name saw its highest popularity in the 2020s, with notable use in Florida and Texas. Its simple, vowel-heavy sound fits contemporary naming trends, though its exact origin remains debated.
Elah is a name of uncertain derivation. It may be a feminine form of the Hebrew element 'El,' meaning 'God,' or a shortened form of names like Eliana. Alternatively, it could be a modern spelling variant of Ella or Ayla, which have Germanic or Turkish origins respectively. The name has seen occasional use in the United States since the early 20th century.
Where Elah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elah” around the world
Where Elah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ellie, Lala
Sibling names for Elah
Names that share Elah's style, for a brother or sister.
