Elija: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	5	1	–	#1,013
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	42	4	–	#2,334
1920s	34	3	-19%	#2,716
1930s	10	1	-71%	#3,935
1940s	–	–	–	–
1950s	–	–	–	–
1960s	–	–	–	–
1970s	7	1	–	#4,745
1980s	68	7	+871%	#4,245
1990s	142	14	+109%	#3,196
2000s	414	41	+192%	#2,264
2010s	328	33	-21%	#2,596
2020s (to 2025)	119	20	-40%	#3,760

Decade

Boys

Per year

Change

Best rank

1880s

–

#1,013

1890s

–

1900s

–

1910s

–

#2,334

1920s

-19%

#2,716

1930s

-71%

#3,935

1940s

–

1950s

–

1960s

–

1970s

–

#4,745

1980s

+871%

#4,245

1990s

142

+109%

#3,196

2000s

414

+192%

#2,264

2010s

328

-21%

#2,596

2020s (to 2025)

119

-40%

#3,760

The story of Elija

Elija is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #6,217 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1889, 1,169 American babies have been named Elija. Its peak came in 2008, when 56 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Elija stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Elija?

The median living Elija is about 17 years old; half are between 11 and 23. An estimated 1,100 people named Elija are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Elija 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	#6,217
2024	12	#6,949
2023	20	#4,931
2022	20	#4,901
2021	29	#3,760
2020	24	#4,176
2019	25	#4,146
2018	20	#4,793
2017	33	#3,400
2016	26	#4,024
2015	43	#2,778
2014	21	#4,588
2013	27	#3,782
2012	44	#2,732
2011	47	#2,596
2010	42	#2,837
2009	48	#2,594
2008	56	#2,332
2007	49	#2,544
2006	41	#2,800
2005	38	#2,814
2004	49	#2,324
2003	32	#3,010
2002	46	#2,264
2001	29	#3,086
2000	26	#3,235
1995	16	#3,921
1990	7	#6,633
1985	8	#4,830
1980	9	#4,245
1975	–	–
1970	–	–
1965	–	–
1960	–	–
1955	–	–
1950	–	–
1945	–	–
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	5	#4,161
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	9	#2,687
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Elija, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Elija?

The median living Elija is about 17 years old. Half of all living Elijas are between 11 and 23 years old.

How many people named Elija are alive today?

An estimated 1,100 people named Elija are alive in the United States, based on 1,169 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

How popular is the name Elija in 2025?

Elija ranked #6,217 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 Elija?

1,169 babies have been named Elija in the United States since 1889, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Elija most popular?

Elija peaked in 2008, when 56 newborns received the name.

Is Elija a boy or girl name?

Elija is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Elija rising or falling?

Elija is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Elija

Elija popularity over time

The story of Elija

How old are people named Elija?

Elija year by year

Frequently asked questions

Names like Elija