Elias Name Meaning

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Elias is believed to be a variant of the biblical name Elijah which means “The Lord is my God.” It can also be interpreted to mean “The strong Lord” or “Jehovah is God.” It’s traditionally used as a name for boys but can be used for other genders. Elias is a variant of the name Elijah which means “Lord is my God.” Elijah is a prophet in the Bible who was charged with the responsibility of leading the Israelites back to the worship of one God.

Elias is also mentioned in other holy books belonging to other religions like the Quran. Elias isn’t just a popular first name it’s also a common last name in many cultures. Elias is a strong name that connotes strength and leadership in its bearers, just like Elijah the Prophet. In Greek, its feminine variant is Iliana.

  • Origin: Elias is thought to be of English origin and is also a biblical name. Some people also say that it has Greek origins. 
  • Gender: Elias is primarily used by parents to name their baby boys.
  • Pronunciation: The pronunciation of the name heavily depends on what country of origin or variant you use; however, the most common pronunciation is EH-lie-ahs.

Although many baby names are separated by gender, Verywell Family believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.

How Popular Is the Name Elias? 

Elias is a rather popular name in the United States. In 2020 it was ranked as the 53rd most popular name for boys in the United States.

Elias has steadily risen in popularity over the last decade. The name started to garner popularity in the 18th century after composed Felix Mendelssohn named a musical piece "Elias." The name also saw a rise in popularity in the 1960s and has maintained a steady ascent since that year.

Some people, especially Christians, attribute the name's popularity today to the fact that the name was adopted by various early saints in the Middle Ages.

Name Variations 

Elias has several variations that are either biblical or of Greek, Hebrew or English origins. Some of the most common are: 

  • Eelis (Finnish)
  • Elia (Italian) 
  • Eliane (French) 
  • Elie (French)
  • Elijah (Hebrew)
  • Elijas (Finnish) 
  • Eliou (Greek)
  • Elis (Swedish) 
  • Helias (Latin)
  • Ilias (Greek) 

Similar Names

Similar names to Elias include:

  • Eli
  • Elijah
  • Elisha 
  • Ethan 
  • Gabriel
  • Levi 
  • Silas
  • Tobias 

The most common nickname given to people who are named Elias is Eli. 

Suggested Sibling Names 

Here are other names that have a similar feel to Elias: 

  • Caleb 
  • Eleanor 
  • Ezekiel 
  • Henry 
  • Issac
  • Jeremiah
  • John
  • Noah 
  • Timothy 

Famous People Named Elias  

Elias is a strong name steeped in biblical history this has made it popular over the years. Walt Disney’s middle name is Elias, given to him in honor of his father whose first name was Elias.

If you are thinking of naming your baby Elias and wondering who your baby will share a name with, here are some of the most popular people who are also named Elias: 

  • Elias Ashmole, English antiquary and politician 
  • Elias Canetti, Bulgarian writer 
  • Elias Disney, Canadian businessman and father to Walt Disney 
  • Elias Figueroa, soccer player 
  • Elias Gottlob Haussmann, German painter in the baroque age 
  • Elias Harger, actor 
  • Elias Howe, the inventor of the sewing machine 
  • Elias Samson, American professional wrestler also known as Jeffrey Logan Sciullo
  • Elias Toufexis, Greek and Canadian actor 

More Baby Names

Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options: 


1 Source
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  1. Social Security Administration. Popularity of names.

By Toketemu Ohwovoriole
Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.