The name Elia has its origins in the Hebrew language and culture, deriving from the Biblical name Elijah. The name Elijah, from which Elia is a variation, is composed of two elements: "El" meaning "God" and "jah" meaning "Yahweh" or "the Lord." The name Elijah was borne by a prominent prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his unwavering faith and miraculous deeds.

Elia is a romanized form of the name, commonly used in various European languages, particularly in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. In these languages, the name is pronounced with a emphasis on the second syllable, as "eh-LEE-ah." The name has been in use since ancient times, with its earliest recorded instances appearing in Biblical texts and religious scriptures.

One of the earliest and most notable historical figures with the name Elia was Elia Levita, a renowned Jewish scholar and grammarian who lived in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Born in Germany around 1469, Levita made significant contributions to the study of Hebrew grammar and the Masorah, a tradition of preserving the accurate transmission of the Hebrew Bible.

Another notable bearer of the name was Elia Capriolo, an Italian Renaissance painter active in the 16th century. Capriolo was known for his religious works and his contributions to the Venetian school of painting. His works can be found in various churches and galleries throughout Italy.

In the realm of literature, Elia is the pen name of the English essayist and critic Charles Lamb, who lived from 1775 to 1834. Lamb's essays, published under the pseudonym "Elia," are widely regarded as masterpieces of the English essay form, and his influence on the genre has been significant.

Moving forward in time, Elia Kazan, a Turkish-American director and writer, made a significant impact on the world of cinema. Born in 1909 and passing away in 2003, Kazan directed several critically acclaimed films, including "On the Waterfront" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," and was an influential figure in the Actor's Studio method of acting.

Finally, Elia Suleiman is a contemporary Palestinian filmmaker and actor, known for his unique and poetic cinematic style. Born in 1960, Suleiman's films, such as "Divine Intervention" and "It Must Be Heaven," explore themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of life in the Middle East.