The name Eliah is a variant spelling of the Hebrew name Elijah, which has its origins in the Old Testament. The name Elijah is derived from the combination of two Hebrew words: "El," meaning "God," and "Yah," which is a shortened form of the name Yahweh, the Hebrew name for God. Thus, the name Elijah can be interpreted to mean "my God is Yahweh" or "Yahweh is God."

Elijah was a prominent prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his devotion to God and his confrontation with the pagan prophets of Baal. The biblical account of Elijah's life is found primarily in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Kings, where he is depicted as a powerful and fearless messenger of God, performing miracles and calling the Israelites back to the worship of Yahweh.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Elijah can be found in the Hebrew Bible, referring to the biblical prophet himself. The name Elijah or its variants, such as Elias or Eliah, have been used throughout history by various cultures and religions that have been influenced by the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Historically, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Eliah or its variants. Elias Hicks (1748-1830) was an American Quaker minister and leader of the Hicksite Separation, a schism within the Religious Society of Friends. Elias Lönnrot (1802-1884) was a Finnish philologist and collector of traditional Finnish oral poetry, best known for compiling the Kalevala, the national epic of Finland.

In the 20th century, Elijah Muhammad (1897-1975), born Elijah Poole, was an African American religious leader who led the Nation of Islam from 1934 until his death in 1975. Elijah Wald (born 1959) is an American writer, musician, and scholar known for his work on blues and folk music.

Another notable figure was Elias Canetti (1905-1994), a Bulgarian-born novelist, playwright, and non-fiction writer who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1981. His works often explored the relationship between the individual and society, and he is particularly known for his novel "Auto-da-Fé" and his non-fiction work "Crowds and Power."

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Eliah or its variants, reflecting the enduring influence of the biblical figure Elijah across various cultures and time periods.