Rising since 2015, #2,884 for boys today.
Popularity of Elikai since 2014
Babies named Elikai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 41 |
| 2020s | 197 |
Meaning & origin
Elikai is a modern respelling of the ancient Hebrew name Elisha, carrying the meaning 'God is my salvation.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 2014 and has been steadily rising in use since 2015, reaching a peak rank of 2,884 in 2025. While still uncommon, with approximately 1 in every 39,723 boys receiving the name, it reflects a contemporary trend of adapting biblical names with phonetic twists. The states with the highest usage are Florida and California, suggesting an initial spread through diverse, trend-setting regions. Parents drawn to Elikai often appreciate the familiar sound of Elijah or Eli combined with the distinctive '-kai' ending, offering a fresh alternative that remains rooted in tradition.
Elikai is a modern variant of the Hebrew name Elisha, which is derived from the Hebrew elements 'El' meaning 'God' and 'shua' meaning 'salvation,' thus 'God is my salvation.' In the Hebrew Bible, Elisha was a prophet and disciple of Elijah. The spelling variant Elikai emerged in the United States in the 21st century as part of a broader trend of creative respellings of traditional biblical names.
Where Elikai is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eli, Kai
Variants: Elisha, Eliseus, Elysée
Sibling names for Elikai
Names that share Elikai's style, for a brother or sister.
