Elisha is a rare and unique Hebrew name that holds significant historical and spiritual meaning. Its origin can be traced back to ancient times when it was given to prominent figures in the Bible.
The name Elisha comes from the Hebrew word "Elishah," which means "God is salvation." It comprises two elements: "El" (which signifies God) and "Yasha" (meaning salvation or deliverance). Thus, the name Elisha reflects a deep connection with divine protection and assistance.
In the Bible, Elisha was the successor to the prophet Elijah. He performed numerous miracles, including healing the sick, feeding thousands, and raising the dead. His life and deeds are chronicled in the Books of Kings (2 Kings 3:1 – 2 Kings 13:25). Due to his faithful service to God and his extraordinary accomplishments, Elisha's name has become synonymous with devotion and divine favor.
Despite its biblical roots, Elisha is not a commonly used name today. However, it remains an intriguing choice for parents seeking a distinctive and meaningful moniker for their child. Its rarity may allow the bearer to stand out while still benefiting from the profound significance and historical importance attached to the name Elisha.
The name Elisha has seen a fascinating journey in terms of popularity over the years in the United States. The first recorded birth with this name was in 1914, with only 5 newborns bearing it. The numbers remained relatively low until the late 1940s and early 1950s when they started to rise gradually.
The real turning point came in the early 1970s, marking a significant increase in births registered as Elisha. In 1972, 181 babies were named Elisha, more than double the previous year's figure of 76. This upward trend continued throughout the decade, peaking at 624 births in 1980.
The popularity of the name Elisha began to wane in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite this decline, it remained relatively common, with around 200-300 babies named Elisha each year from 1990 to 2004.
In recent years, the name has seen a resurgence in popularity. After reaching its lowest point in 2020 with only 88 births, it rebounded slightly to 82 births in 2022. This could indicate a potential uptick in interest for this unique and historic name.
Overall, since 1914, there have been a total of 14,211 births registered as Elisha in the United States. This steady but variable trend over time reflects the changing tastes and preferences of parents in naming their children.