Elyria first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Elyria has been for the last 5 years (from 2018 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Elyria

A feminine name of Greek origin meaning "sun ray" or "sunshine".

Popularity of Elyria by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Elyria is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elyria.

Year Male Count Female Count
2022 0 6
2021 0 8
2020 0 5
2019 0 7
2018 0 9

The history of the first name Elyria

The name Elyria has its origins in ancient Greece, dating back to the 5th century BC. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "elyros," meaning "a small brook or stream." The name was likely given to children born near or alongside a small body of water.

In Greek mythology, Elyria was the name of a nymph who was said to be the daughter of the river god Alpheus. She was associated with the natural beauty and tranquility of flowing waters, and her name became a symbol of grace and serenity.

The earliest recorded use of the name Elyria can be found in ancient Greek texts and inscriptions. One notable example is a dedicatory inscription from the island of Delos, which mentions an individual named Elyria who made an offering to the gods.

Throughout history, the name Elyria has been borne by several notable figures. In the 2nd century AD, Elyria of Alexandria was a respected philosopher and teacher who contributed to the Neoplatonist movement. In the 4th century, Saint Elyria was a Christian martyr who was persecuted for her faith during the reign of Emperor Diocletian.

During the Byzantine era, Elyria Comnena (born c. 1050) was a prominent author and scholar who wrote historical works and served as a confidant to Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. In the 16th century, Elyria Morosini (1564-1608) was a Venetian noblewoman and patron of the arts, known for her support of artists and intellectuals.

In more recent times, Elyria Borneman (1863-1937) was a German-American educator and advocate for women's rights, who played a significant role in establishing kindergartens and promoting early childhood education in the United States.

While the name Elyria has retained its connection to the natural world and its Greek roots, it has also transcended cultural and linguistic boundaries, becoming a symbol of grace, wisdom, and strength throughout various eras and civilizations.

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

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

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"Elyria first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 2, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/elyria-meaning-and-history/.

"Elyria first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/elyria-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 2 June, 2025

Elyria first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/elyria-meaning-and-history/.

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