Find out how popular the first name Elihu has been for the last 49 years (from 1976 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elihu by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Elihu is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 17 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Elihu.

The history of the first name Elihu

The name Elihu has its origins in the Hebrew language. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew words "El" meaning "God" and "hu" meaning "He is". Thus, the name can be interpreted to mean "He is God" or "My God is He".

The earliest recorded instance of the name Elihu appears in the Book of Job, one of the oldest books in the Hebrew Bible. In the biblical narrative, Elihu is introduced as a young man who rebukes Job and his three friends for their misguided attempts to understand the cause of Job's suffering.

One of the earliest known historical figures to bear the name Elihu was Elihu Yale, an English merchant and philanthropist born in 1649. He made a significant donation to the Collegiate School in Connecticut, which was later renamed Yale University in his honor.

Another notable individual named Elihu was Elihu Root, an American lawyer and statesman born in 1845. He served as the Secretary of War under President Theodore Roosevelt and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912 for his efforts in promoting international arbitration.

In the 18th century, Elihu Stout was a prominent American preacher and author from New Jersey. He was born in 1744 and was known for his fervent sermons and writings on religious topics.

Elihu Burritt, born in 1810, was an American philanthropist and advocate for world peace. He was widely known as the "Learned Blacksmith" for his ability to master various languages while working as a blacksmith.

Elihu Vedder, born in 1836, was a renowned American painter and illustrator. He is particularly renowned for his symbolic and allegorical works, including his famous painting "The Lair of the Sea Serpent".

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Elihu was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Elihu, please contact us.

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