Elijah in Chinese
Elijah in Chinese is 以利亚 (Yǐ Lì Yà).
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Meaning
- my God is Yahweh
The name traces back to Hebrew sources, where it is usually explained as "my God is Yahweh". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2000s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Elias.
3 ways to write Elijah
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
以利亚
Yǐ Lì Yà
The standard transliteration of Elijah: 以 (yǐ, "with; by means of (phonetic 'e/i')"), 利 (lì, "benefit, sharp"), 亚 (yà, "Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Each character maps to one sound of the English name: 以 (yǐ) carries "e", 利 (lì) carries "li", 亚 (yà) carries "jah". The tone contour is 3-4-4 (dipping, falling, falling).
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 以
yǐ
Tone 3 · 5 strokes (simplified)
with; by means of (phonetic 'e/i')
- 利
lì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
benefit, sharp
- 亚
yà
Tone 4 · 6 strokes (simplified)
Asia; second (phonetic 'a/ya')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
瑞恒
Ruì Héng
Inspired by "my God is Yahweh": 瑞 (ruì, "auspicious, lucky") + 恒 (héng, "constant, persevering"), expressing blessing and divine protection.
Why these characters?
瑞 (auspicious, lucky) answers the "God" in Elijah's meaning, and 恒 (constant, persevering) rounds it off as a typical ending for boys' names.
Character breakdown
22 strokes total (simplified)- 瑞
ruì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
- 恒
héng
Tone 2 · 9 strokes (simplified)
constant, persevering
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
伊瑞
Yī Ruì
伊 (yī, "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)") + 瑞 (ruì, "auspicious, lucky"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
伊 (yī) sounds close to the opening "e" of Elijah (compare 以 yǐ) but means "phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)"; 瑞 adds "auspicious, lucky".
Character breakdown
19 strokes total (simplified)- 伊
yī
Tone 1 · 6 strokes (simplified)
phonetic 'i/e'; that one (classical)
- 瑞
ruì
Tone 4 · 13 strokes (simplified)
auspicious, lucky
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
Loading stroke guides…
Recent US usage of Elijah
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Elijah ranked 5 among names recorded for boys, with 72,049 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 281,374 boys named Elijah since 1880, with the high point in 2011 (13,960 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #243 to #8 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2011
- Peak decade
- 2000s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 281,374
More About Elijah in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Elijah offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Elijah, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Elias in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Elias in Chinese, Jeremy in Chinese, and Sean in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Patrick in Chinese, Caleb in Chinese, Cody in Chinese, and Mason in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Elijah, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Elijah to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Elijah in Chinese?
以利亚 (Yǐ Lì Yà), or 以利亞 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Elijah?
US Social Security records show 281,374 boys named Elijah since 1880, with the high point in 2011 (13,960 births) and the busiest decade being the 2000s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #243 to #8 among boys.
How many strokes does 以利亚 have?
18 strokes in simplified form and 20 in traditional; per character: 以 5, 利 7, 亚 6.