Elijah

Elijah is a male given name of Hebrew origin, derived from Eliyahu, meaning "Yahweh is my God." In religious tradition, Elijah is a prophet who appears in the Hebrew Bible as a prominent figure in the northern kingdom of Israel during the 9th century BCE. He is remembered for challenging the worship of Baal, confronting king Ahab and queen Jezebel, and performing miracles, including a drought and its renewal, the miraculous restoration of a widow’s son, and the dramatic ascent of Elijah to heaven in a whirlwind with a chariot of fire. Elisha is named as his successor.

In Judaism, Elijah symbolizes the prophetic hope of redemption and is associated with the expectation of the coming of the Messiah; he is also linked to the tradition of the Elijah cup at Passover seders. In Christianity, Elijah is revered as a powerful prophet and is sometimes seen as a forerunner to John the Baptist in certain traditions; he is also depicted in the account of the Transfiguration. In Islam, he is known as Ilyas, considered a prophet who preached righteousness, with his story shared in Islamic scripture and tradition.

As a given name, Elijah has become widely used across cultures and languages, with variants such as Elias. It appears in literature, film, and public life, and has been adopted by many notable individuals in modern times. The name carries historical and religious associations, while remaining a popular contemporary choice.