Rising since 1985, #7 for boys today.
Popularity of Elijah since 1880
Babies named Elijah per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2011, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Elijah's real moment was 2020.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 856 |
| 1890s | 704 |
| 1900s | 725 |
| 1910s | 1,963 |
| 1920s | 2,755 |
| 1930s | 2,135 |
| 1940s | 2,399 |
| 1950s | 2,314 |
| 1960s | 1,524 |
| 1970s | 3,400 |
| 1980s | 7,567 |
| 1990s | 34,652 |
| 2000s | 110,421 |
| 2010s | 137,147 |
| 2020s | 72,049 |
Meaning & origin
A prophet's name with a chariot-of-fire exit story, Elijah declares its meaning outright: "my God is Yahweh". The Greek form Elias served most of Christian Europe for centuries, but English Bibles kept the Hebrew flavor, and America inherited both, plus a proud line of bearers from inventor Elijah McCoy to congressman Elijah Cummings.
The numbers describe one of the great slow-motion successes in American naming. Present in the data every year since 1880, Elijah began rising in 1985, cracked the top 10 in the 2010s, and peaked in 2020; in 2025 it ranked 7th, with about 1 in 154 newborn boys carrying the name. Its strongest states: Hawaii, Alaska, and Wyoming, show how completely it has escaped any regional or denominational niche.
Elijah anchors the Old Testament revival that has reshaped the boys' top 100 (Isaiah, Josiah, Ezra, Ezekiel, Malachi), and it wears its popularity lightly: rhythmic, gentle in sound for a name of such prophetic thunder, with the ready-made nickname Eli. The only real caveat is ubiquity, a top-10 rank means company in every kindergarten class.
Elijah is the English form of the Hebrew Eliyyahu (אֵלִיָּהוּ), a theophoric name declaring "my God is Yahweh". Its bearer in the Books of Kings is one of the Hebrew Bible's towering prophets, challenger of the priests of Baal, taken up to heaven in a whirlwind and chariot of fire, and his stature carried the name into Greek as Elias, the form used through most of Christian Europe; "Elijah" itself is the English Bible's rendering. Puritans revived it after the Reformation, and it stayed in steady, modest American use from 1880 onward. Its modern explosion began around 1985 and carried it into the top 10, a position it has held through the 2010s and 2020s.
Where Elijah is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elijah” around the world
Where Elijah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
270
babies in 2024
Ireland
#97
in 2025
New Zealand
#9
in 2025
Quebec
32
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#7
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eli, Lijah
Famous people named Elijah
- Elijah Wood · American actor best known as Frodo in The Lord of the Rings
- Elijah McCoy · Canadian-American inventor linked to the phrase "the real McCoy"
- Elijah Cummings · longtime U.S. congressman from Maryland
Sibling names for Elijah
Names that share Elijah's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Abigail, Naomi, Delilah, Hannah, Genesis, Eliana, Beulah, Destiny, Jada, Jayla, Mariah, Tabitha, Adelyn, Aiyana, Akia, Alaya, Alayah, Alaysha, Alaysia, Aleah, Alesha, Alliyah, Amayah, Amiyah, Amya, Anaiah, Aniah, Ariya, Azaria, Azariah, Daisha, Dalila, Deliah, Desirea, Destiney, Destini, Eliora, Heaven, Iyana, Iyanna, Jadah, Jaliyah, Janiya, Janiyah, Jazmine, Kaliyah, Kaylani, Kenia, Keyla, Lilia, Makiyah, Maliah, Maliyah, Moriah, Naisha, Niyah, Samara, Selah, Taleah, Taliyah, Tamiya, Yazmin, Zamya, Zariah, Aaniyah, Abbigale, Aiyanna, Ajah, Alaiya, Alaiyah, Alayla, Aleeah, Aleigha, Aleyah, Amaria, Amariah, Amarie, Amiah, Amilia, Amiracle, Amoni, Amoura, Amyra, Anaiya, Anaiyah, Anayah, Anijah, Anyla, Arayah, Ariyana, Asiah, Avayah, Ayvah, Azariyah, Azeneth, Aziyah, Caliyah, Daija, Dalilah, Daysha, Delylah, Destanie, Destany, Eliyanah, Elois, Emmalynn, Emoni, Erykah, Izabell, Jamiah, Jamika, Jariah, Jaylani, Jazelle, Jazzmin, Kaelani, Kahlia, Kaliah, Kamani, Kamaya, Kamiah, Kateri, Keiana, Keyana, Khalia, Khaliyah, Kiarah, Kiarra, Kiyah, Laisha, Laniya, Laniyah, Laticia, Lavenia, Lavonia, Lilyanna, Mahalia, Makiah, Makiya, Malayah, Marisha, Markayla, Meleah, Myisha, Nahomi, Nahomy, Naomy, Navaeh, Naveah, Nayomi, Nazareth, Neriah, Niya, Nyomi, Odelia, Sanai, Shaniah, Sinai, Talaya, Tamira, Tamiyah, Tamya, Tyana, Wynona, Yulisa, Zaniah, Zendaya, Zipporah, Aamiyah, Aariah, Aariyah, Adaiah, Adaya, Ahmya, Ailynn, Airianna, Alahia, Alaiah, Alaijah, Alaila, Alaisha, Alanie, Alayiah, Alayjah, Alaylah, Aleaha, Aleeya, Aleiah, Aleiya, Alexiah, Aliyanna, Allayah, Alleah, Alliah, Alyia, Alyiah, Amaiah, Amariyah, Amelya, Ameria, Amyia, Amylah, Anah, Analea, Anasia, Andreya, Anesha, Anevay, Angelisa, Anilah, Aniyla, Anyiah, Arieal, Armanii, Aryel, Aryiah, Ashiya, Aviah, Aviance, Ayannah, Ayonna, Azaliah, Azilee, Beautiful, Bethlehem, Breyana, Briyana, Briyanna, Caleah, Caliah, Camiyah, Chaniya, Daejah, Dalyla, Dalylah, Damaria, Damaya, Damiah, Daniah, Deniya, Destanee, Destyne, Destyni, Ebone, Ehlani, Elayah, Elecia, Elenna, Eliani, Elishia, Elivia, Eliyana, Ellana, Ellisa, Elmina, Elycia, Elysha, Elyssia, Elyzabeth, Emalynn, Emmarose, Eniyah, Evani, Eviana, Genessis, Genisis, Havilah, Idalis, Idaly, Imoni, Ivalee, Ivyanna, Ivyonna, Iyanah, Iyannah, Jaaliyah, Jaelle, Jaidah, Jaionna, Jakia, Jaliah, Jamea, Jamica, Janeli, Janyia, Janyiah, Jasmen, Jayliana, Jazariah, Jazmen, Jemimah, Jeniah, Kaaliyah, Kaleya, Kaleyah, Kaliana, Kaliya, Kamaiyah, Kamoni, Kamorah, Kamyah, Kamyia, Kariah, Karmella, Kayliana, Keianna, Keiona, Keishla, Kemya, Kenyah, Keyaira, Keyani, Keylani, Khaleah, Kharisma, Khayla, Kiauna, Kimorah, Kiyanna, Kymora, Laelah, Lakeya, Lamaria, Leasia, Leylanie, Maeli, Makaiya, Makeyla, Makyah, Malana, Malayia, Maleyah, Maniya, Mariea, Marriah, Meliah, Meliyah, Meliza, Meriah, Mersadies, Miasia, Mical, Michaiah, Mikalah, Mikia, Mikiah, Mikiyah, Miliana, Mkayla, Mylani, Naiyah, Nakiah, Naryah, Nasya, Nataliah, Nayah, Nevaeha, Niasia, Niylah, Noami, Nohemy, Oriah, Otelia, Permelia, Quianna, Reginae, Reniyah, Sahily, Samaiya, Samayah, Samyia, Sarahy, Sarayah, Saryah, Seraiah, Seriyah, Shaddai, Shakina, Shalaya, Shalita, Shamiah, Shanyah, Sharayah, Sianni, Soriah, Syriah, Taijah, Tajah, Tajanae, Taleigha, Talicia, Talissa, Taliya, Tamaya, Taniah, Tanyla, Tariah, Tayanna, Teyana, Teyanna, Tiandra, Tiani, Tiarah, Tiyana, Tiyanna, Tyliyah, Tytianna, Yazmeen, Zakayla, Zalayah, Zamara, Zamaya, Zanaya, Zarria, Zarriah, Zaryah, Zeniyah, Zhamira, Zilpha, Zophia, Zoriah, Zuriah, Zyana, Aalaya, Aaleah, Aarianna, Abbiegail, Abygale, Adalaya, Adaliah, Adasia, Ahlani, Ahlaya, Ahliyah, Ahmaya, Ahmiya, Ahniya, Aireona, Aiyonna, Akiera, Alashia, Alayia, Alayshia, Alazay, Alazia, Alexcis, Alexxus, Aliayah, Alilah, Aliyanah, Alizay, Alizea, Alleyah, Allia, Alonni, Alylah, Amahia, Amarionna, Amaryah, Amauria, Amayia, Amayiah, Ameriah, Ameyah, Amonie, Anaja, Anajah, Analysia, Anayiah, Aneya, Annaleia, Annaliah, Annaliyah, Annalysa, Anniah, Araiya, Araiyah, Areesha, Arelia, Areonna, Ariellah, Arieona, Arieonna, Ariyanah, Arriyah, Asharia, Asianna, Avaiah, Aveya, Avianah, Aviyanna, Avriel, Ayaana, Ayianna, Ayona, Aysiah, Azarie, Azariya, Azarya, Azayah, Azrielle, Azyah, Bethsaida, Briyah, Calayah, Caliya, Camaria, Camilah, Caniyah, Celicia, Channah, Chiana, Cyniah, Dahlila, Danajah, Dariah, Darionna, Daviona, Dayona, Dazia, Daziah, Deairra, Dearia, Deijah, Dejanay, Dejia, Delaila, Delayla, Deliliah, Deliyah, Demiah, Denaya, Desteni, Deziyah, Eiliyah, Elaysha, Elaysia, Eliannah, Elissia, Eliyanna, Ellianah, Ellisha, Eloah, Emalia, Emanie, Emelynn, Emiah, Emmilyn, Emonee, Endya, Evanny, Eyanna, Hallelujah, Harmani, Hydeia, Ikia, Ileah, Iliyah, Isabellah, Iyanla, Jabrea, Jahanna, Jahdai, Jahliyah, Jahnia, Jaiah, Jakaila, Jakaya, Jakaylah, Jakylah, Jalaiya, Jaleia, Jalexis, Jaleya, Jamaiya, Jamariah, Jamilex, Jashayla, Jasiya, Jasmarie, Jasmynn, Jayliah, Jazman, Jemiah, Jennavecia, Jeriyah, Jermia, Jermiyah, Jezebel, Jiyah, Jmya, Jniyah, Jocabed, Joniyah, Juliannah, Kahlea, Kaleiah, Kalicia, Kamillah, Kasiyah, Kataleah, Kataleyah, Katiria, Katurah, Kayliah, Kehlany, Kelaiah, Kelilah, Keliyah, Keniah, Keniyah, Kenyanna, Keyarah, Keyerra, Keymani, Keyoni, Keziyah, Kiarrah, Kilani, Kiwana, Kyeisha, Kyliah, Ladasia, Lailoni, Laiyla, Lakya, Lanaiya, Laniah, Lanyah, Lanyiah, Lariya, Lavaeh, Laveah, Layonna, Leiyah, Leniyah, Levia, Liliah, Liviya, Lydiah, Lyniah, Makaiah, Makalia, Makayah, Makila, Makyra, Malahni, Malania, Malayla, Maleaha, Maleeya, Malyah, Maniah, Marae, Marayah, Maresha, Mariaha, Marianny, Mariha, Masiyah, Maylani, Mekhia, Meleana, Melicia, Mikaelah, Mikea, Mikiya, Mikya, Mikyah, Mikylah, Miyonna, Mykiah, Mylasia, Myliah, Naelani, Nahlia, Nakea, Nakhia, Naleah, Naliah, Namiah, Nasiya, Natoria, Naviah, Neaveh, Nehemie, Neriyah, Neviah, Niani, Nijae, Nijah, Niveah, Niyanna, Noriah, Nyanna, Nyliah, Peniel, Pharrah, Prisila, Prudie, Quiara, Rehanna, Ruah, Sabree, Sabrinna, Sakiyah, Salayah, Saleah, Samaiyah, Samariah, Sanaia, Saraiah, Saraiya, Saraiyah, Sedalia, Sefora, Semaja, Serayah, Shanara, Sharaya, Shayonna, Shiah, Siarah, Siedah, Simaya, Tabbitha, Tabria, Talani, Taleyah, Talita, Talyah, Tamea, Tamyia, Tanajah, Tanayah, Tariya, Teasia, Tecora, Telitha, Teniya, Teyona, Tiannah, Tiasha, Tieara, Timaya, Timiyah, Timya, Traniyah, Tyrianna, Yariah, Yazmyn, Zahria, Zamariah, Zamyah, Zaraya, Zarayah, Zaryiah, Zaveah, Zayanna, Zeriah, Zionna, Zyniah, Aaleigha, Adiah, Aireonna, Aliviya, Allecia, Amiree, Anaijah, Ariyona, Armiyah, Azaylah, Ceairra, Daneli, Delailah, Denyla, Deriyah, Dniyah, Elaijah, Emalina, Hadessah, Jadaya, Janiaya, Javae, Jazmaine, Kelahni, Keliah, Kiasha, Laryah, Lavayah, Mekiah, Naliya, Niasha, Salaya, Samarie, Shekina, Teniyah, Toshua, Zaliah, Zurielle, Aaleeyah, Aalliyah, Aarionna, Aaylah, Abryana, Acsa, Adaisha, Adarah, Adeja, Adoniah, Ahleah, Ahmi, Ainoah, Aiyanah, Ajanay, Ajanee, Ajene, Akacia, Akaysha, Akeila, Akeylah, Akiah, Alaija, Alailah, Alaisa, Alayasia, Alaysiah, Alayziah, Alazae, Alejah, Alexzia, Aliea, Alisah, Aliyha, Alizaya, Allyah, Allyiah, Amairah, Amarea, Amarrah, Amarria, Amarya, Amayla, Ameah, Ameliya, Amiaya, Amijah, Amiliah, Amilyah, Amisadai, Amiylah, Amiyrah, Amyre, Amyria, Anahlia, Anaija, Analyah, Ananiah, Anayia, Anaysha, Aneeka, Aneisa, Angeliyah, Aniayah, Aniqua, Anjanae, Annayah, Annisha, Ariannie, Ariyel, Arriah, Arrionna, Ashantae, Ashaya, Ashiyah, Asyah, Audryana, Aujanae, Aundraya, Aundreya, Auriah, Avagail, Avaiya, Azaliyah, Azarria, Azyria, Breniya, Caleyah, Camani, Cariah, Cataleyah, Ceasia, Ceniyah, Chalisa, Chariah, Comfort, Cyriah, Dakiya, Damyia, Danelia, Daveah, Davinity, Dazha, Deaisha, Dejha, Delisia, Demaya, Desyre, Deveah, Deyjah, Deyona, Deysha, Dezaree, Dezariah, Deziah, Elahni, Elaisha, Elaiya, Elaiza, Elajah, Elayjah, Eleisha, Eliahna, Elilah, Elizabella, Ellionna, Elliyah, Emiliah, Emiyah, Emmalena, Emmani, Emyah, Enijah, Esmarie, Evanora, Gabrella, Genesi, Geniyah, Giah, Ilisha, Imanii, Ivannah, Iyahna, Iyanni, Jaanai, Jaasia, Jahleah, Jahmiya, Jakerria, Jalexus, Jalyiah, Jameia, Janaiah, Janasha, Janaysha, Janelli, Jaryah, Jasmene, Jasminne, Jaszmine, Javayah, Jazma, Jazmina, Jazminn, Jazmon, Jazsmin, Jazyah, Jazyiah, Jecenia, Jehieli, Jeilany, Jemina, Jermiya, Jerriah, Joleah, Joleena, Jonay, Joniah, Julicia, Juliyah, Kabria, Kadasia, Kahliya, Kahmya, Kailiyah, Kalaiya, Kalanii, Kalayla, Kaleeah, Kalyiah, Kamyri, Kanyia, Karlisa, Kataya, Kaylahni, Keiandra, Keiarah, Keiyana, Kemara, Kemaria, Kemyah, Kenijah, Ketzia, Keyanah, Keyira, Keyonni, Khamille, Kimiyah, Kimyah, Kiondra, Laasia, Lachina, Lacora, Lanijah, Latori, Laveyah, Laylana, Lazariah, Leeasia, Leilanii, Leniya, Liliahna, Lilyauna, Maekayla, Mahaila, Makhiya, Makhya, Makilah, Malaijah, Malashia, Malayasia, Maleeah, Maleiah, Malijah, Malyiah, Marijah, Marlaya, Marliyah, Mauriah, Melaya, Melayah, Meliya, Meria, Micalah, Michiah, Mikaiah, Mikailah, Mikayah, Mikeria, Mikeya, Milayah, Milliani, Mireyah, Montasia, Moria, Moriya, Muriah, Myosha, Nahara, Naijah, Naileah, Nakaiya, Naleyah, Nashali, Nataliyah, Naviyah, Nayellie, Nazariah, Nazyia, Nesiah, Neveyah, Neyah, Niaja, Niajah, Nikala, Nikiah, Nioka, Nyajah, Nyasiah, Nyonna, Nyrobi, Oneka, Phiona, Qianna, Quaniyah, Raianna, Reniah, Reniya, Ryiah, Samyiah, Samyria, Sanaiyah, Saraia, Saryiah, Satoya, Savaya, Semaya, Semya, Shadai, Shakeera, Shakinah, Shaliah, Shanoah, Shemiah, Simara, Syleena, Tahtiana, Takhia, Talayia, Talayla, Tanyiah, Tanylah, Tationna, Tayja, Tayjah, Taylani, Tayona, Teauna, Teiara, Teleah, Tenae, Terriyah, Thiara, Tianni, Timiya, Tniyah, Tyiana, Tyianna, Vaniyah, Yalissa, Yasenia, Yazmyne, Yireh, Zacaria, Zaha, Zamariyah, Zamorah, Zanaiya, Zayana, Zelaya, Zeniah, Zeriyah, Zionah, Zoriyah
Brothers: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, Josiah, Jonah, Ezra, Isaac, Jeremiah, Noah, Angel, Damian, Elisha, Emanuel, Messiah, Alijah, Amari, Azael, Damari, Eleazar, Eliam, Eliel, Elihu, Gabe, Isael, Isai, Isaias, Isiah, Ismael, Izaiah, Jadiel, Jamari, Jaziel, Jericho, Jireh, Kymani, Lemuel, Malikai, Malique, Mekhi, Moses, Nehemias, Sincere, Tyrese, Uriah, Xzavier, Yahir, Zion, Adonai, Amarion, Amen, Anjel, Asaiah, Aundre, Azaiah, Benaiah, Corban, Cornelious, Daveon, Demarion, Demitrius, Diante, Dionte, Ebenezer, Eliah, Eliud, Ezrah, Hosie, Isaih, Issiah, Izael, Izan, Izayah, Iziah, Jakobi, Jalin, Jameer, Jariel, Jashaun, Jashua, Javian, Javien, Jayven, Jayvion, Jayvon, Jaziah, Jeramiah, Jeremias, Jeriah, Jermiah, Jeshua, Jesiah, Jessiah, Jethro, Jrue, Leviticus, Lige, Malachai, Malakhi, Malaki, Masiah, Massiah, Mehki, Micaiah, Natanael, Nyjah, Obadiah, Omarion, Oziel, Romel, Sammuel, Tavion, Truett, Tyreese, Urijah, Yadiel, Yeshua, Zackariah, Aalijah, Aarion, Abijah, Adon, Alias, Alonte, Alyjah, Amarri, Arath, Benuel, Cartez, Damauri, Dantrell, Dayon, Demarious, Demetrus, Dshawn, Eliab, Eliga, Elige, Elijha, Elijiah, Ellijah, Esiah, Ethaniel, Ezariah, Eziah, Ezrael, Gaberial, Gomer, Isayah, Issaiah, Jaevion, Jahdiel, Jahmere, Jahsiah, Jahvon, Jakeb, Jakhari, Jakobie, Jamare, Jamez, Javone, Jawaun, Jedadiah, Jehu, Jeremih, Jeriel, Jeziel, Jezreel, Joesiah, Jomari, Jontae, Joshawa, Joshuwa, Joshwa, Josiyah, Josyah, Jotham, Juda, Jusiah, Kahari, Kaleth, Kamarri, Kanaan, Khaleb, Leviathan, Luccas, Malakhai, Maleik, Malichi, Markis, Melchizedek, Mesiah, Miciah, Nasiah, Neftaly, Neithan, Oshay, Oziah, Pharrell, Rasean, Raysean, Romelo, Takai, Tamarcus, Trebor, Tremon, Treyon, Tyrece, Uriyah, Xayvion, Xzavion, Yohance, Yoseph, Yosiah, Zacari, Zaccai, Zakariah, Adonay, Adonias, Ahmere, Ahmon, Aijalon, Alezander, Asriel, Aundrey, Camauri, Cannan, Chrishaun, Daesean, Daeshaun, Daivion, Damiri, Delijah, Demarea, Ediel, Eliasar, Eligha, Elikai, Elishah, Emauri, Esaias, Esias, Ethin, Gabreal, Imanuel, Isiaha, Isiaih, Izaiha, Izaya, Izayiah, Izeah, Izeyah, Jaaziah, Jahel, Jahmai, Jahziah, Jaiel, Jaiveon, Jakori, Jamarii, Jamario, Jamian, Jamiere, Jamion, Jaquin, Jasai, Jasaiah, Jasaun, Javaughn, Jaysiah, Jazion, Jemari, Jeremaih, Jeremiyah, Jeremyah, Jerimyah, Jermari, Jesaiah, Joshuan, Jossiah, Jsean, Jvion, Jvon, Kalief, Kalijah, Kamali, Kemar, Kendarious, Keveon, Keyondre, Kingdavid, Kishon, Latavius, Lijah, Maciah, Makale, Malekai, Maleki, Maxamus, Mehkai, Mekai, Michai, Myaire, Nekhi, Nemiah, Osiah, Osias, Pharell, Taeveon, Tarius, Tasean, Trevante, Usiel, Yahshua, Yashua, Yaziel, Yetzael, Zaevion, Zavon, Dominyk, Ezekeil, Isahi, Isaiahs, Kalyb, Lazarius, Abem, Ahmeir, Aisea, Akiel, Alakay, Alekai, Alikai, Amahri, Anthuan, Armari, Azahel, Azuriah, Damieon, Davaun, Davieon, Davionte, Dayshaun, Dessiah, Dharius, Divante, Dominiq, Elijan, Elisah, Elohim, Esaiah, Eshawn, Essiah, Ezael, Ezaiah, Ezikiel, Harim, Isahia, Isaid, Isaiha, Isaiyah, Iseah, Issaih, Izacc, Izaih, Izaiyah, Izmael, Izreal, Jahcere, Jahlon, Jahshua, Jaimere, Jamarien, Jamicah, Jasyah, Jayziah, Jazhiel, Jazziel, Jebidiah, Jeramia, Jeramyah, Jeshurun, Joshawn, Josia, Jsiah, Juwaun, Kamaury, Keaundre, Kelijah, Kessiah, Khmari, Kieon, Leiam, Malahki, Malaquias, Meshilem, Messiyah, Meziah, Mizraim, Nahsir, Nayshawn, Neziah, Niguel, Omarie, Omauri, Oshae, Otniel, Rayjon, Semaje, Sosaia, Tahje, Topher, Tymire, Xaivier, Xayvier, Yahweh, Yohanan, Yosohn, Zecharia, Zyeir, Zyiere, Zyonn
Names like Elijah
Names whose popularity has moved with Elijah's over the last 50 years.

