Elih

Meaning & origin

Elih is a modern respelling of the classic name Eli, which itself is a short form of Elijah. While Eli has deep biblical roots, Elih is a 21st-century innovation that first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 2005. Its use has been stable but rare, never cracking the top 1000; it saw its highest popularity in 2017, with roughly 5 births per year. The name is overwhelmingly given to boys, and its simple, vowel-heavy sound fits current naming trends for short, modern names. Although its meaning is not directly attested, parents may choose it for its resemblance to Eli or its soft, approachable feel. Elih remains a niche choice, appealing to those seeking a name that is both fresh and familiar.

Elih is a modern respelling of Eli or Elijah, names derived from the Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyyahu), meaning 'My God is Yahweh.' The variant spelling with an 'h' at the end is a contemporary innovation that became visible in U.S. birth records starting around 2005. It peaked in popularity in 2017 and has remained in light use since, primarily as a masculine name.