Elijah

Meaning: Its source is Eliyahu, a Hebrew name meaning "God is Lord."

Origin: "Eliyahu."

Languages: This boy's name is used in Hebrew and English.

Nicknames: Eli, Elie and Lige

Alternative Spellings: Elija

Variant Forms: Elias

Non-English Forms: Elia

Source Forms: Eliyahu

Popularity: The name Elijah ranked 43rd in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 491st in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name was popular earlier in the 20th century, then fell off in usage, but has begun making a comeback in recent years.

Narrative: This name is often given to Jewish boys born during Passover.

According to Jewish tradition, the scriptural prophet who bore this name shall never die, and Jewish families around the world leave a place set for him during the Seder Passover feast.

Leadership

Elijah Muhammad (born 1897, died 1975)
American religious leader. Original name: Elijah Poole.
- Leader of the black separatist Nation of Islam, 1934-75 (see list of Religious Leaders)

Miscellaneous

Elijah
Prophet who ascended to heaven without dying.
- Appears in 1 and 2 Kings (see list of Biblical Names from the Old Testament)

Stage and Screen

Elijah Blue Allman
- The son of Cher and Gregg Allman (see list of see Celebrity Babies)
Elijah Muhammad (born 1897, died 1975)
American religious leader. Original name: Elijah Poole.
- Played by Al Freeman, Jr. (see list of Character from Spike Lee's Malcolm X)