Eliyahu

Eliyahu is the Hebrew form of Elijah, the biblical prophet. Its meaning is traditionally expressed as “my God is the Lord,” with the final element referring to the divine name. This is an established Hebrew name with a substantial religious history, rather than a modern extension of the shorter Eli.

For families using Hebrew at home or in religious life, Eliyahu can preserve a familiar form directly. English-speaking readers may need help with its sequence of vowels, while Elijah offers a more immediately familiar English counterpart. Eli is an available shortening, although Eli also exists as a separate biblical name and should not always be treated as identical in origin. Choosing Eliyahu makes the Hebrew form central to the child's everyday name rather than leaving it only as a translated equivalent.