MallowbyNames

Elisah

eh-LEE-sah · Of uncertain origin; possibly a variant of Elisa or Alisa, or a modern feminine form of Elijah.

Peak popularity
2002
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady.

Popularity of Elisah since 1978

Babies named Elisah per year in U.S. Social Security records.

4913198020002020Most births 2002GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1970s05
1980s011
1990s020
2000s2359
2010s147
2020s00

Meaning & origin

Elisah is a modern, rare name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1978, part of a wave of creative respellings and elaborations of traditional names. Its peak year came in 2002, though even then it remained far from common. As of 2025, its trajectory is stable, with no sign of a surge or decline. The name likely draws from familiar roots: Elisa, Alisa, or Elijah, but its exact derivation is uncertain, adding an air of mystery. Despite its rarity, Elisah offers a distinctive option for parents seeking a name that feels both familiar and unique, with no strong ties to any particular state or region in the U.S.

Elisah is a modern coinage, likely a variant or elaboration of names like Elisa, Alisa, or Elijah. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1978, reflecting the late 20th-century trend of creating unique names by adding an 'h' to familiar forms. Its usage has remained rare but stable, with a peak in 2002.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Eli, Lissy, Sah

Variants: Elisa, Alisah, Elysah

Sibling names for Elisah

Names that share Elisah's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Amaya, Lydia, Mira, Naomi, Serah

Brothers: Elijah, Ezra, Isaac, Micah, Noah

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

E is for Elisah, our favorite little person.

E is for Elisah…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Elisah's letter becomes Elisah's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Elisah's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Elisah mean?
The meaning of Elisah is uncertain. It may be a modern variant of Elisa (a short form of Elizabeth, meaning 'God is my oath') or Alisa (of Germanic origin, meaning 'noble'), or a feminine form of Elijah (Hebrew, 'my God is Yahweh'). Its exact origin is debated.
How popular is Elisah?
Elisah is a rare name. It first appeared in U.S. Social Security data in 1978, and as of 2025 it does not rank in the top 1000. Its usage peaked in 2002, after which it has remained stable but uncommon.
Is Elisah a boy or girl name?
Elisah is used as a unisex name, though in practice it is more commonly given to girls. The data shows it used for both genders, with no strong skew.