Declining since 2008, #6,143 for boys today.
Popularity of Elija since 1889
Babies named Elija per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2008, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elija's real moment was 1889.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 42 |
| 1920s | 34 |
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 68 |
| 1990s | 142 |
| 2000s | 414 |
| 2010s | 328 |
| 2020s | 119 |
Meaning & origin
Elija is a rare spelling variant of the classic biblical name Elijah. First recorded in 1889, it peaked that same year in the 1880s, but has since become increasingly uncommon. As of 2025, it ranks 6,143 in popularity, with only about 1 in 122,005 boys receiving the name. The name has been on a declining trajectory since 2008, reflecting a broader trend away from less common spellings. While Elijah remains a top choice for parents, Elija offers a distinctive alternative for those drawn to the name's prophetic heritage.
Elija is a variant spelling of Elijah, derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'My God is Yahweh.' In the Hebrew Bible, Elijah was a major prophet who performed miracles and was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. The name has been used among English speakers since the Protestant Reformation, though the spelling Elija is less common.
“Elija” around the world
Where Elija lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eli, Lijah
Sibling names for Elija
Names that share Elija's style, for a brother or sister.
