Elihu
Every Elihu since 1880 — 1,236 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Elihu
Elihu is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,216 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 1,236 American babies have been named Elihu. Its peak came in 1928, when 26 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Elihu stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Elihu year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 14 | #6,216 |
| 2024 | 17 | #5,502 |
| 2023 | 17 | #5,522 |
| 2022 | 14 | #6,236 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5,615 |
| 2020 | 18 | #5,090 |
| 2019 | 20 | #4,844 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5,158 |
| 2017 | 15 | #5,874 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4,511 |
| 2015 | 16 | #5,580 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5,810 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6,003 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9,100 |
| 2011 | 13 | #6,344 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5,556 |
| 2009 | 22 | #4,475 |
| 2008 | 19 | #4,948 |
| 2007 | 14 | #6,005 |
| 2006 | 18 | #4,921 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4,889 |
| 2004 | 15 | #5,325 |
| 2003 | 16 | #4,882 |
| 2002 | 8 | #7,870 |
| 2001 | 18 | #4,348 |
| 2000 | 11 | #6,034 |
| 1995 | 9 | #6,063 |
| 1990 | 14 | #4,037 |
| 1985 | 5 | #6,850 |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 6 | #4,394 |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | 7 | #3,285 |
| 1950 | 7 | #3,121 |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | 10 | #2,374 |
| 1935 | 5 | #3,819 |
| 1930 | 11 | #2,491 |
| 1925 | 15 | #2,117 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,162 |
| 1915 | 22 | #1,471 |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,077 |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | 6 | #848 |
Famous people named Elihu
- Elihu Root Politician · 1845–1937
- Elihu Thomson Inventor · 1853–1937
- Elihu Yale Politician · 1649–1721
- Elihu B. Washburne Politician · 1816–1887
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Elihu in 2025?
Elihu ranked #6,216 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Elihu?
1,236 babies have been named Elihu in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Elihu most popular?
Elihu peaked in 1928, when 26 newborns received the name.
Is Elihu a boy or girl name?
Elihu is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Elihu rising or falling?
Elihu is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Elihu?
Well-known people named Elihu include Elihu Root (politician), Elihu Thomson (inventor), Elihu Yale (politician).