Elia is a name of Hebrew origin, meaning "the Lord is my God." It is a variation of the name Eliezer, which also has Hebrew origins and means "God is my helper." In the Bible, Eliezer was Abraham's servant who was sent to find a wife for Isaac.
The name Elia has been used throughout history by several notable figures. One such figure is Elia Kazan, a famous film director and actor known for his work in the 1950s. Another notable Elia is Elia Suleiman, a Palestinian filmmaker and actor who is known for his unique style of filmmaking.
Overall, Elia is a strong and meaningful name with deep roots in history and culture. It is a name that carries a sense of purpose and devotion to a higher power.
The name Elia has been a relatively uncommon choice for newborns in the United States over the past century and a half, with only a few instances each year. However, there have been some fluctuations in its popularity.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the name was given to between five and twelve babies per year. There were peaks in popularity around the years 1896-1897 and 1915-1917, with Elia being the name of twenty-three or more newborns each year during these periods.
After World War II, there was a gradual increase in the number of babies named Elia. Between 1946 and 1953, between forty-six and sixty-four babies were given this name each year. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with around fifty to seventy babies being named Elia annually.
The name's popularity began to decline in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with fewer than sixty births per year during this time. However, it started to rise again in the mid-1980s, reaching over ninety-three births in 1990.
Since then, Elia has remained relatively popular, with between sixty-four and three hundred babies being given this name each year. The most recent data from 2023 shows that there were three hundred eight babies named Elia at birth, indicating that the name is still a viable choice for parents today.
Overall, while the name Elia may not have been one of the most popular choices for newborns in the United States over time, it has experienced periods of increased popularity and continues to be given to a significant number of babies each year.