Find out how popular the first name Elimelech has been for the last 49 years (from 1975 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elimelech by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 33 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Elimelech.

The history of the first name Elimelech

The name Elimelech is of Hebrew origin, derived from the combination of two words: "el" meaning "God" and "melech" meaning "king." It roughly translates to "My God is King" or "God is my King." This name first appeared in the biblical text of the Book of Ruth, which is believed to have been written sometime between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE.

The Book of Ruth mentions Elimelech as a man from Bethlehem who, along with his wife Naomi and their two sons, migrated to the land of Moab due to famine in Judah. Elimelech's name is symbolic of his faith and trust in God, even during times of hardship and adversity. This biblical reference is one of the earliest known recordings of the name Elimelech.

Throughout history, the name Elimelech has been used, albeit infrequently, by people of Jewish and Christian faiths, particularly those with ties to the biblical tradition. One notable figure bearing this name was Elimelech of Lizhensk (1717-1787), a renowned Hasidic rabbi and spiritual leader in Poland. He was known for his teachings on joy, humility, and the importance of serving God with a pure heart.

Another individual with the name Elimelech was Elimelech ben Judah (12th century), a French rabbi and commentator on the Talmud. His work, known as the "Sefer Ra'avan," was highly influential in the study of Jewish law and tradition during the Middle Ages.

In the 19th century, Elimelech Shapiro (1824-1886) was a prominent Hasidic Rebbe and leader of the Grodzisk dynasty in Poland. He was known for his wisdom, compassion, and dedication to the teachings of the Hasidic movement.

Another notable figure was Elimelech Gavriel Taubenfeld (1856-1937), a Polish-born rabbi and scholar who served as the chief rabbi of Lviv (now in Ukraine) in the early 20th century. He was renowned for his expertise in Jewish law and his efforts to promote religious education among the Jewish community.

While the name Elimelech has a rich historical significance, particularly in the Jewish and Christian traditions, its usage has been relatively uncommon throughout history. However, it remains a cherished name among those who value its biblical roots and the profound meaning it carries.

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 Elimelech was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!