Rising since 1987, #970 for girls today.
Popularity of Elia since 1884
Babies named Elia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 | 0 |
| 1890s | 61 | 0 |
| 1900s | 67 | 0 |
| 1910s | 177 | 11 |
| 1920s | 336 | 52 |
| 1930s | 383 | 37 |
| 1940s | 421 | 29 |
| 1950s | 577 | 33 |
| 1960s | 474 | 47 |
| 1970s | 528 | 101 |
| 1980s | 572 | 122 |
| 1990s | 744 | 112 |
| 2000s | 1,126 | 157 |
| 2010s | 1,876 | 188 |
| 2020s | 1,715 | 186 |
Meaning & origin
Elia first appeared in U.S. records in 1884, but it remained rare for decades. Since 1987, the name has been steadily rising in usage, reaching its peak rank in 2024 at number 970. In the most recent data from 2025, approximately 1 in 6,111 babies are named Elia, reflecting a growing but still uncommon choice. The name is most popular in Kansas, California, and Arizona. Elia's appeal spans Hebrew, Italian, and Spanish origins, offering a melodic alternative to the more common Elijah or Elias. Parents drawn to short, vowel-heavy names often pair it with sister names like Mila or Aria, and brother names like Luca or Ethan.
Elia is an Italian and Spanish form of the Hebrew name Elijah, from 'Eliyahu' meaning 'My God is Yahweh'. In the Bible, Elijah was a prophet. The name has been used in Italy and Spain for centuries, and in English-speaking countries it is sometimes used for girls as a variant of Elia or a feminine form of Elias.
Where Elia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elia” around the world
Where Elia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
245
babies in 2024
Quebec
26
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee, Eli, Lia
Sibling names for Elia
Names that share Elia's style, for a brother or sister.
