Elihu Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Elihu is a Hebrew name meaning 'He is my God,' derived from biblical texts where it is associated with wisdom and counsel. The name has evolved through historical forms from Hebrew to Latin and then to English. It carries traits of spirituality and tradition, with a clear biblical relevance as a character in the Book of Job.
The name Elihu is most popular in New York, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Elihu has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Elihu' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1825th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 2483rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3327th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5827th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5257th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 5631st out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 5445th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Elihu' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Elihu"
Pronunciation
/ˈɛlɪhuː/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Elihu is derived from the Hebrew name אֵלִיהוּא (Elihu), which means 'He is my God.' It is composed of two elements: 'El' meaning God and 'hu' meaning he.
Meaning
He is my God
Language Evolution
Elihu (Hebrew), Elihu (Latinized form), Elihu (Anglicized form)
Biblical Background
Elihu is a character in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Job, where he serves as a young friend and counselor to Job.
Historical Usage
The name Elihu gained popularity in English-speaking countries during the 17th and 18th centuries, partly due to its biblical connections.
Variants & Derivatives
Eli, Elihuah
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Elihu is viewed as a unique and traditional name with strong biblical roots, appealing to those who appreciate historical and religious significance.
Famous People
Elihu Yale, the founder of Yale University, Elihu Root, an American lawyer and statesman
Explore More Elihu Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Elihu"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Elihu"
"Elihu" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1825th of 7545 | 290 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2483rd of 6773 | 172 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3327th of 7552 | 114 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 5827th of 10718 | 46 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 5257th of 16616 | 133 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 5631st of 24088 | 220 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5445th of 23106 | 202 |
Regional Popularity of "Elihu" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
61.35% 846th/1379 |
81.45% 1927th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- |
58.61% 912th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- |
64.77% 1574th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
48.79% 3082nd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
51.50% 3766th/7313 |
55.88% 4170th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - |
74.46% 5080th/6822 |
- |
Regional Popularity of "Elihu" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Elihu"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Elihu" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.