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Elias

/e-LY-as/

Elias is a boy name of Hebrew origin, meaning My God is Yahweh.

  • GenderBoy
  • OriginHebrew
  • StyleModern
  • Syllables2
  • US rank#55

What does Elias mean?

My God is Yahweh

Elias is the Greek and Latin form of Elijah, from the Hebrew Eliyahu. It is the form used in the New Testament and therefore the one that entered most European languages.

The story behind the name

Because Elias is the form used in the Greek scriptures, it became the standard version across Catholic and Orthodox Europe, while Protestant Britain preferred the Hebrew Elijah - the two names are the same prophet.

Elias Howe patented the lockstitch sewing machine in 1846 and then spent years in court establishing the patent against Isaac Singer.

Elias is currently a top-ten boys' name in Sweden, Finland, Austria and Switzerland, and it has been climbing in Germany and the United States.

Notable people named Elias

  • Elias Howe, inventor
  • Elias Canetti, Nobel laureate in literature
  • Elias Lönnrot, compiler of the Kalevala

How popular is Elias?

Popularity in the United States

Elias has been given to 92,705 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

About 1 in 278 babies born in the United States were given this name in the most recent year on record.

02,9665,931188019502020
Babies named Elias per year in the United States, 1880–2020. Source: Social Security Administration

Popularity in France

Elias has been given to 781 babies in France since 2010, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

04997201020162022
Babies named Elias per year in France, 2010–2022. Source: INSEE

Popularity in Spain

There are 16,193 people called Elias living in Spain, with an average age of 39.

92,705 Babies named since 1880
2010s Peak decade
Rising Recent trend

Variants and related names

Other spellings: Elijah, Ilias, Elia, Eliyahu

Related names: Elijah, Eli, Elian, Ezra, Isaiah

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Frequently asked questions about Elias

What does the name Elias mean?

Elias means My God is Yahweh. It is of Hebrew origin.

Is Elias a boy's or a girl's name?

Elias is most often given to boys.

How do you pronounce Elias?

Elias is pronounced e-LY-as.

How popular is the name Elias?

Elias has been given to 92,705 babies in the United States since 1880, peaking in the 2010s. It has been climbing over the last two decades.

What are other spellings of Elias?

Common variants include Elijah, Ilias, Elia, Eliyahu.