Elias is a name that effortlessly bridges the gap between ancient tradition and modern cool. It possesses a “soft strength” vibe, intellectual, gentle, and charismatic without trying too hard. While it carries the heavy, prophetic weight of biblical history, the Greek ending gives it a poetic, lyrical quality that feels right at home in 2025. It is less expected than Elijah but far more timeless than many trending vowel-heavy names.
At its core, Elias is a name of faith and fortitude, meaning “The Lord is my God.” It has traveled through Hebrew, Greek, and Latin history to become a truly international choice.
Verdict: Elias is the perfect choice for parents seeking a “Goldilocks” name: classic but not dusty, popular but not overexposed, and masculine with a gentle soul.
Elias Overview
- Meaning: Elias is a biblical name meaning “The Lord is my God.” Some other interpretations of Elias can mean “The strong Lord,” “Jehovah is God,” or “Yahweh is my God.” Elias is a take on Elijah, who was a Hebrew prophet.
- Gender: Elias is typically designated to boys, though there are female iterations.
- Origin: Elias is of Hebrew origins. They can be traced back to the Old Testament as Elijah. However, Greek translations of the bible brought Elias a popular name in its own right.
- Pronunciation: Elias is most commonly pronounced, “EH-lie-ahs.” This can change depending on where you live, however.
- Popularity: Elias is a globally popular name. The most popular place is in Pakistan, where 1 in every 750 boys is given the name.
- Nicknames: Eli, Lee, Lias.
- Variations: Male variations are often Ellis, Elia, Eliane, Elie, Elijah, Elijas, Eliou, Elis, and Helis. Female variations include Iliana, Ellie, Ilina, Ilinca, Ilinka, Eliana, Iliana, Éliane.
- Namesakes: Elias Breeskin, a Ukrainian violinist, composer, and conductor.
What Does Elias Mean?
The name Elias is a biblical name that serves as the Greek and Latin form of Elijah. It translates directly to “The Lord is my God” or “Yahweh is my God.”
This meaning is derived from the Hebrew components El (God) and Yah (a shortened form of Yahweh). Unlike names that describe a virtue or a nature element, Elias is a theophoric name, meaning it embeds the name of the deity directly into the child’s identity. It is a declaration of faith and devotion.
While it is most commonly associated with the prophet Elijah (1), the name has evolved to represent spiritual strength and leadership across various cultures.
Where Does the Name Elias Come From?
Elias has Hebrew origins, but its journey to modern English is quite cosmopolitan.
The original Hebrew name is Eliyahu (Elijah). When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint) and later into the Latin Vulgate, the guttural Hebrew sounds were softened to suit those languages. Eliyahu became Elias.
Because the New Testament was written in Greek, “Elias” is the form used in many versions of the Gospels when referring to the Old Testament prophet. This Greek variation allowed the name to spread rapidly through Europe during the Middle Ages, often outpacing Elijah in non-English speaking countries.
How Popular is the Name Elias?
Elias is currently enjoying its golden age in the United States. While it has never fully disappeared from usage, it was considered a relatively rare, somewhat “eccentric” choice for much of the 20th century.
Starting in the 1990s, however, the name began a steep upward trajectory. It broke into the Top 100 in the mid-2010s and has remained a steadfast favorite since. It has successfully transitioned from a distinctively religious name to a secular favorite, loved for its vowel-heavy, soft sound profile that matches current trends.
It is particularly popular in the Southwestern United States and has massive international appeal, ranking highly in countries like Sweden, Germany, and Finland.
How Do I Pronounce Elias?
In American English, the standard pronunciation is eh-LIE-uhs.
- The emphasis is placed on the middle syllable.
- The first “E” is a short vowel, and the final “s” is soft.
However, because Elias is a global name, you will hear valid variations. In Spanish, German, and many European languages, it is pronounced eh-LEE-ahs. This gives the name a more cosmopolitan flair and makes it an excellent bridge for multicultural families.
Is Elias a Boy or Girl Name?
Elias is traditionally and predominantly a masculine name. It has been used for boys for thousands of years.
However, parents seeking a similar sound for a daughter have beautiful options. Eliana is the most direct feminine equivalent, sharing the same root and meaning. Other variations like Iliana and Ellie are also widely used.
Variations of Elias
One of the strengths of Elias is its versatility across languages.
- Elijah (Hebrew) – The original classic.
- Ilias (Greek) – The modern Greek form.
- Elia (Italian) – A softer, lyrical take.
- Ilya (Russian) – A strong, concise variation.
- Élie (French) – Chic and short.
- Ellis (English/Welsh) – While it has different roots, it is often used as a secular alternative.
- Eelis (Finnish) – A Nordic twist.
- Elijas (Lithuanian)
Nicknames for Elias
While Elias is short enough to use without a nickname, there are several ways to shorten or sweeten it.
Common Nicknames:
- Eli
- Lee
- Lias
Creative & Rare Nicknames:
- Els: A vintage-sounding, punchy option.
- Elio: Borrowing from the Italian variation for a sunny nickname.
- Sly: A playful, retro stretch pulling from the “Lias” sound.
Names Similar to Elias
If you love the vibe of Elias, biblical, vowel-rich, and gentle, but want to explore other options, consider these names.
- Silas: Shares the Greek New Testament origin and the soft “-as” ending.
- Tobias: Another vintage name that ends in S and feels intellectual.
- Ezra: A biblical prophet name that is currently very stylish.
- Levi: Short, punchy, and biblical.
- Ethan: A classic Hebrew name meaning “strong.”
- Julian: distinct from the bible, but shares the Roman/Latin gentleness of Elias.
- Jude: Short and melodic.
- Gabriel: An archangel name that is universally recognized.
Middle Names for Elias
Elias is a versatile first name that pairs well with various styles. We have categorized these suggestions to help you find the right flow.
Classic & Biblical Pairings
These names lean into the traditional roots of Elias, creating a timeless combination.
Vintage & Distinguished
These middle names give Elias a scholarly or “old money” feel.
Modern & Spunky
To balance the softness of Elias, these middle names add a bit of rhythmic punch.
Sibling Names for Elias
Building a sibling set around Elias is enjoyable because it plays nicely with both vintage gems and modern hits.
For a Brother
For a Sister
Famous People Named Elias
- Elias Koteas: A prolific Canadian film actor known for roles in The Thin Red Line and Chicago P.D.
- Elias Disney: The father of Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney, making him the patriarch of the Disney legacy.
- Elias Howe: The American inventor best known for his creation of the modern lockstitch sewing machine.
- Elias Breeskin: A noted Ukrainian violinist, composer, and conductor.
- Elias Pettersson: A Swedish professional ice hockey player.
Elias in Pop Culture
- Sgt. Elias Grodin: The compassionate and moral sergeant played by Willem Dafoe in the film Platoon.
- Elias: The drifting musician and wrestler character in the WWE universe.
- Elias Ryker: A central character in the cyberpunk novel Altered Carbon.
- Elias “Eli” Thompson: A complex figure in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
- Elias Grover: The distinctively polite clerk in the cult classic film Clerks II.
FAQs About the Name Elias
Is Elias a Cool Name?
Yes, Elias is widely considered a cool name. It has seen rapid growth in style-conscious states like California, Colorado, and Vermont. It balances a vintage, “hipster” appeal with a solid, traditional foundation. It ages beautifully, sounding just as appropriate for a toddler as it does for a CEO or an artist.
Is Elias a Latin Name?
Elias acts as the Latin and Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah. While the root is Semitic (Hebrew), the specific spelling “Elias” was popularized through Latin translations of the Bible, which is why it is so prevalent in Spanish, French, and Portuguese cultures today.
Is Elias a Last Name?
Yes, Elias is a common surname as well as a given name. It appears as a last name in Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, and English cultures. As with many patronymic surnames, it signifies “son of Elias” or “descendant of Elias” and maintains the same meaning.
Is Elias a Catholic Name?
Elias is popular in Catholic traditions, though it is not exclusively Catholic. Because “Elias” is the spelling used in the Latin Vulgate bible and the Douay-Rheims bible, it was historically the preferred version in Catholic countries, whereas “Elijah” was preferred in Protestant traditions (King James Version). Today, both names are used across all denominations.
What is the Female Version of Elias?
The most direct feminine equivalent is Eliana, which shares the Hebrew root “El” (God) and a similar melodic structure. Other related names include Iliana, Elia, and Ellis (which is increasingly used for girls).
Is Elias Rare?
No, Elias is no longer rare. It is a firmly established top-tier name in the United States and Europe. While it is not as ubiquitous as Liam or Noah, it is common enough that people will instantly recognize and know how to spell it.
Does Elias Mean Sunshine?
No, this is a common misconception. Elias is often confused with the Greek name “Helios,” which refers to the sun god. While they sound similar and are often pronounced similarly in some languages, Elias (Yahweh is God) and Helios (Sun) have entirely different etymological roots.
Can Elias Be Short for Something?
Typically, Elias is a full name on its own. However, historically, it has occasionally been used as a short form for longer, rarer names like Eliakim or even Eleazar, though this is uncommon in modern times.
