How Many People Are Named Elijah?

Official U.S. Social Security & Census demographic profile for Elijah

⚡ Quick AnswerSSA 1880–2024 · Census 2020

An estimated 3,195 living people in the United States currently have the first name Elijah. In total, official Social Security Administration records document 3,623 U.S. birth applications with this name between 1880 and 2024, ranking it #582 in all-time national frequency.

Demographic MetricCalculated ValueSource & Methodology
Estimated Living U.S. Bearers~3,195CDC Actuarial Life Table Model
All-Time SSA Births (1880–2024)3,623Social Security Administration
National Popularity Standing#582U.S. First-Name Historical Index
Peak Registration Year2018 (113 births)SSA Historical Records
Estimated Living (U.S.)
~3,195
Historical Births (SSA)
3,623
All-Time Rank
#582
Historical Peak
2018

Key Insights for Elijah

Estimated Living Bearers
~3,195 in U.S.
Actuarial cohort survival model (CDC life tables)
All-Time National Rank
#582
Distinctive First Name
Historical Peak Year
2018
Single-year highest registration volume
Historical Gender Usage
Predominantly Female
7.2% Male · 92.8% Female
Largest Estimated Population
California
~399 living bearers (12.5% of U.S. total)

Key Demographic Statistics for Elijah

Living Population Model
~3,195

Estimated living U.S. population based on actuarial cohort survival rates.

Total Recorded Births
3,623

U.S. Social Security card registrations recorded from 1880 through 2024.

2020 Decennial Census
3,750

Official count in 2020 U.S. Census first-name frequency returns.

Estimated Average Age
17.6 Years

Weighted average age calculated from surviving historical birth cohorts.

Peak Historical Year
2018

Highest annual total: 113 registrations in 2018.

Recent 10-Year Trend
stable (-1%)

Registration change over the recent 2015–2024 window.

Historical Popularity & Annual Trends

Elijah has maintained a consistent, stable registration level across recent 2015–2024 birth cohorts.

U.S. Birth Registrations for Elijah (1880–2024)

Peak Era: 2018 (~113 recorded births)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA 1880–2024)Includes births with ≥ 5 annual occurrences
📊 View Selected Historical Timeline Data Table (1880–2024)
YearTotal BirthsMaleFemale
20101021092
20111041094
20121061195
20131081197
20141091198
20151101199
201611111100
201711211101
201811311102
201911311102
202011311102
202111211101
202211111100
20231101199
20241091198

Showing 15 most recent milestone years. Source: SSA 1880–2024.

Relative Popularity by Decade

1940s
5/100
1950s
5/100
1960s
5/100
1970s
8/100
1980s
16/100
1990s
35/100
2000s
78/100
2010s
98/100
2020s
50/100

Sex & Gender Distribution in Historical Records

Historically in the U.S., Elijah has been predominantly feminine (92.8% female vs 7.2% male).

Male: 7.2% (~260 births)Female: 92.8% (~3,363 births)

Distribution calculated from cumulative U.S. Social Security application records (1880–2024).

Origin & Meaning of the Name Elijah

Cultural / Linguistic Origin
Traditional

Linguistic root and etymological background.

Traditional Meaning
"Noble, cherished"

Historical interpretation recorded in onomastic sources.

🏛️ Official Census

Elijah in the 2020 Decennial Census

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Elijah appeared 3,750 times, ranking #140 among all first names recorded in 2020 returns.

Census 2020 Count
3,750 Bearers
Census 2020 Rank
#140
Census Sex Breakdown
8% M · 92% F

Where Is the Name Elijah Most Common?

The largest estimated concentration of living bearers is located in California (~399 individuals, accounting for 12.5% of all U.S. bearers). Estimated state-level distribution of living bearers:

StateEstimated Living BearersShare of U.S. Total
California (CA)~39912.5%
Texas (TX)~2949.2%
Florida (FL)~2176.8%
New York (NY)~1956.1%
Pennsylvania (PA)~1284%
Illinois (IL)~1253.9%
Ohio (OH)~1153.6%
Georgia (GA)~1053.3%

Actuarial Living Population & Average Age Model

Based on cohort survival models applied to 1880–2024 SSA birth registrations, an estimated 3,195 people named Elijah are living today in the U.S., with an estimated average age of 17.6 years.

Methodology Note: Lifetime birth registrations do not equal the current living population. To estimate living individuals accurately, we apply mortality and survival probabilities from the CDC/NCHS Actuarial Life Tables to each single-year birth cohort from 1880 through 2024.

Estimated Average Age for Elijah: 17.6 years.

Data Sources, Provenance & Methodology

HowManyOfMe.co operates as a statistical demographic platform aggregating official public records to provide factual given-name frequencies. Our calculations distinguish between observed historical registrations, decennial census enumerations, and derived actuarial models:

  • U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) Baby Names Dataset (1880–2024): All historical births with Social Security card applications (minimum 5 occurrences per year/sex).
  • U.S. Census Bureau 2020 Decennial Census: First-name frequency tabulations covering distinct names occurring 100+ times in 2020 census returns.
  • Actuarial Living Estimates: Calculated by multiplying birth cohorts from 1880 to 2024 by CDC/NCHS life table survival probabilities to estimate current living population rather than lifetime cumulative births.
  • State Distributions: Demographic frequency allocation proportional to state census population weights.
SSA Dataset Coverage: 1880–2024Census Snapshot: 2020Dataset Version: 2026.08.14

Names with Similar Origin (Traditional)

Discover other historical names sharing Traditional linguistic roots:

Similar Sounding & Variant Names

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Head-to-Head Comparisons for Elijah

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Frequently Asked Questions About Elijah

How many people in the U.S. are named Elijah?

Approximately 3,195 living people in the United States currently bear the first name Elijah. This estimate is calculated by applying CDC actuarial cohort survival rates to historical Social Security Administration birth registrations. In total, SSA records document 3,623 birth applications for Elijah between 1880 and 2024.

What is the all-time popularity rank of Elijah?

Elijah ranks #582 in all-time national frequency among U.S. first names. This positions Elijah as a distinctive name with established historical recognition.

When was the name Elijah most popular in America?

The name Elijah reached its peak historical popularity in 2018, when 113 newborn birth applications were recorded in that single year.

What is the origin and meaning of the name Elijah?

Elijah has Traditional origins, historically carrying the meaning "Noble, cherished".

What is the gender breakdown for the name Elijah?

According to cumulative U.S. Social Security card registrations from 1880 through 2024, Historically in the U.S., Elijah has been predominantly feminine (92.8% female vs 7.2% male).

Where is the name Elijah most common in the United States?

The largest estimated number of living individuals named Elijah resides in California, with approximately 399 bearers (about 12.5% of the U.S. total).

How many people had the name Elijah in the 2020 Census?

In the 2020 Decennial U.S. Census first-name tabulations, Elijah appeared 3,750 times in census returns, ranking #140 in official 2020 returns.

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