What Does the Name Elias Mean? All About the Popular Baby Name

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An in-depth look at the Biblical and historical roots of Elias

Co-authored by Sonya Prior and Bertha Isabel Crombet, PhD

Last Updated: September 3, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Meaning
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• Popularity
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• Similar Names

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The name Elias has become a popular unisex baby name in recent years, securing a spot in the top 100 names in 2016 and continuing to rise. But what does it mean, and where did it come from? If you’re considering naming your baby Elias or are simply curious about its history, keep reading for an in-depth guide to the name, its meaning and origins, and more!

What does the baby name Elias mean?

Elias means "The Lord is my God" or "My God is Yahweh." It's a Greek variant of the Hebrew name Elijah. While Elias can be a unisex name, it's used more among boys. Variations of the name Elias include Eli, Ellis, Elia, and Elie.

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Section 1 of 3:

Elias Name Meaning

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1. 
   Elias means “my God is Yahweh." Elias is a Greek variation of the name “Elijah,” which means “my God is Yahweh.” In the Bible, Elijah was a prophet and miracle worker from Gilead who lived in the 9th century BC. He is largely credited with confronting King Ahab and Queen Jezebel to abolish the worship of Baal, an immoral god that stood in opposition to the Christian god.

   • In the Bible, God is synonymous with Yahweh, offering another interpretation of the name Elias: “The Lord is my God.”
   • The root name Elijah comes from the Hebrew “Eliyyahu,” with “el,” meaning “God” or “power,” and “yah,” meaning “Yahweh.”
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Section 2 of 3:

Elias Name Popularity

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1. 
   As of 2024, Elias is the 25th most popular baby name in the United States. Elijah was a popular name in medieval times, as was its Latinized counterpart, Elias. Elias became the name of multiple saints and was commonly used as a surname for a few hundred years. The name eventually fell out of favor until the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, then resurfaced again in the 1990s. It has continued to rise in popularity since.

   • In 2016, Elias was featured in the top 10 baby names in America.
   • In 2023, the name Elias ranked #36 in the United States for male births. In 2024, it climbed 11 spots to #25.
   • Some celebrities with the name Elias include:
     • Elias Figueroa: soccer player
     • Elias Koteas: actor
     • Elias Harger: actor
     • Elias Howe: inventor
     • Elias Lindholm: hockey player

Section 3 of 3:

Similar Names

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1. Variants of Elias include Eli, Ellis, and Elio. Elias is a diminutive of Elijah, and many other similar names exist, including feminine, masculine, and unisex variants. Names like Elie, Ellis, and Elio are popular alternatives to Elias. Feminine alternatives include Elia, Elisha, and Eelia. Some unisex variations of Elias are Elie, Ilya, and Helias. Some other similar names include the following:

   • Eelis (Finnish)
   • Eliane (French)
   • Elijas (Finnish)
   • Eliou (Greek)
   • Elis (Swedish)
   • Ilias (Greek)
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