Rising since 1995, #4,249 for boys today.
Popularity of Elya since 1983
Babies named Elya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 64 | 0 |
| 1990s | 23 | 34 |
| 2000s | 25 | 92 |
| 2010s | 73 | 162 |
| 2020s | 70 | 116 |
Meaning & origin
Elya is a relatively recent addition to the American name landscape, first recorded in 1991. Its popularity has been rising, particularly since 1995, and it reached a peak rank in 2019. In 2025, it ranked 4249, with a frequency of 1 in 71,170 births. The name is most common in New York, suggesting possible cultural or regional influences. While its origins are uncertain, Elya fits a modern trend of names ending in 'ya' that are both melodic and gender-flexible.
Elya emerges in the late 20th century, likely as a creative spelling of Elia or a feminine form of Eli. It may also be influenced by the Hebrew name Eliyahu, but its modern usage in the United States since 1991 suggests an invented or anglicized origin. The name has seen steady growth, particularly in the 2010s, and remains relatively rare.
Where Elya is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Elya” around the world
Where Elya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
505
babies in 2024
Quebec
25
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ely, Lya
Sibling names for Elya
Names that share Elya's style, for a brother or sister.
