Rising since 2015, #6,803 for boys today.
Popularity of Elhadji since 1998
Babies named Elhadji per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 38 |
| 2020s | 55 |
Meaning & origin
Elhadji is a West African name rooted in Islamic tradition, derived from the Arabic honorific 'Al-Hajj,' meaning 'the pilgrim.' As the name of a Muslim who has completed the Hajj pilgrimage, it carries deep religious significance in Senegal and neighboring countries. In the United States, Elhadji first appeared in records in 1998 and has been steadily rising in use since 2015. As of 2025, it ranked 6,803rd, with approximately 1 in every 142,340 boys given the name. Its peak year so far is 2025, reflecting consistent growth in popularity. The name is most commonly found in New York, which was the top state of occurrence. Elhadji remains a culturally distinct choice, often combined with other names like Moussa or Mamadou.
Elhadji is a West African name, predominantly used in Senegal and neighboring countries, derived from the Arabic honorific 'Al-Hajj' (الْحَاجّ), given to a Muslim who has completed the pilgrimage to Mecca. It spread through the influence of Islam in the region. The variant Elhadji reflects local pronunciation and spelling conventions, and is often part of a longer name such as Elhadji Moussa.
Where Elhadji is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elhadji” around the world
Where Elhadji lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: El Hadji, El-Hadji, Al Hadji
Sibling names for Elhadji
Names that share Elhadji's style, for a brother or sister.
