Elihu
A boy's name of Hebrew origin with 1,222 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A male given name.
Elihu is a boy's baby name of Hebrew origin, from the Hebrew Elihu, composed of El (God) and hu (he is), meaning 'He is my God' or 'my God is He' — a name of confident divine declaration.
With over 1,200 recorded births, Elihu appears in the Book of Job as the young man who speaks last, offering wisdom that bridges the gap between Job's complaints and God's eventual answer. In American history, Elihu Yale (1649-1721) gave his name and fortune to found what became Yale University — making Elihu one of the most consequential donors in American educational history.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Elihu is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1880 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Elihu’s 1,222 recorded births suggest it has found a niche — possibly within a specific cultural community, region, or naming subculture within the broader American landscape.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Elihu was #5324 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #5491, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 82 | #5588 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 157 | #5877 | — |
| 2000s | 158 | #5369 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 101 | #5953 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 57 | #5233 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 41 | #4289 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 30 | #3835 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 56 | #3337 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 71 | #2910 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 92 | #2661 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 178 | #2021 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 154 | #1552 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 7 | #1077 | ▼ |
| 1890s | 11 | #1049 | ▼ |
| 1880s | 27 | #850 | — |
The Story of Elihu
A Silent Generation name
Peaking in 1928, Elihu is an elegant vintage name. Boys named Elihu are most likely born between 1918 and 1938.
How rare is Elihu?
Only about 1 in every 211,765 babies born in 2024 was named Elihu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1880, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 178 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Elihu by the numbers
- Would fill 25 school buses
- Meeting one Elihu per day would take 3.3 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(105 years, 1880–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17 | #5491 |
| 2023 | 17 | #5514 |
| 2022 | 14 | #6232 |
| 2021 | 16 | #5615 |
| 2020 | 18 | #5088 |
| 2019 | 20 | #4843 |
| 2018 | 18 | #5156 |
| 2017 | 15 | #5874 |
| 2016 | 22 | #4509 |
| 2015 | 16 | #5579 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5809 |
| 2013 | 14 | #6003 |
| 2012 | 8 | #9099 |
| 2011 | 13 | #6344 |
| 2010 | 16 | #5556 |
| 2009 | 22 | #4475 |
| 2008 | 19 | #4947 |
| 2007 | 14 | #6004 |
| 2006 | 18 | #4921 |
| 2005 | 17 | #4887 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Elihu a boy's or girl's name?
When was Elihu most popular?
How popular is the name Elihu?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1880–2024