Find out how popular the first name Elyan has been for the last 24 years (from 2000 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elyan by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Elyan is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 96% of people named Elyan being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 40 male babies and 6 female babies born with the name Elyan.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 6 baby girls were named Elyan in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Elyan

The name Elyan originates from the Persian language, with its roots tracing back to ancient Iran and the Middle Persian era, which spanned from the 3rd to the 7th century CE. The name is derived from the Old Persian word "Aryān," which means "noble" or "honorable." It is believed to be a variation of the name "Aryan," which was used to refer to the Indo-Iranian people who inhabited the region.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Elyan can be found in the Avesta, the sacred texts of Zoroastrianism, which date back to around the 6th century BCE. In these ancient scriptures, the name is mentioned in connection with various legendary figures and heroes, indicating its historical significance and cultural relevance.

Throughout the centuries, the name Elyan has been borne by several notable individuals. One of the earliest recorded examples is Elyan ibn Husayn, a prominent Arab military commander who lived in the 7th century CE and played a crucial role in the Muslim conquests of Persia and Central Asia.

Another historical figure with the name Elyan was Elyan al-Shafi'i, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist who lived in the 9th century CE. He was a disciple of the famous imam Al-Shafi'i and made significant contributions to the development of Islamic jurisprudence.

In the 11th century, Elyan al-Sulami was a revered Sufi mystic and author from Persia. His works on Islamic spirituality and mysticism had a profound impact on the Sufi tradition and are still studied and revered today.

During the 13th century, Elyan al-Hamadani was a celebrated Persian poet and mystic who is remembered for his philosophical and mystical poetry, which explored themes of love, spirituality, and the human condition.

In more recent history, Elyan Bakri was a prominent Egyptian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt from 1944 to 1945. He played a significant role in shaping Egypt's foreign policy during the tumultuous period following World War II.

The name Elyan has undergone various spelling variations throughout its long history, including Elian, Iliyan, and Iliyan. Despite these variations, the name has retained its underlying meaning and cultural significance, reflecting the enduring legacy of the ancient Persian civilization and its influence on the region.

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

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

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