Elisha
Boy name · #788 in 2025 · Uniqueness 55/100
In 2025, 322 baby boys were named Elisha, placing it at #788 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #776, so the name has been falling over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 5,590 boys born in 2025 was named Elisha.
Babies named Elisha per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
The 145-year story
Elisha first appears in the Social Security records in 1880, when 32 boys received the name. Its peak came in 2008, when 392 boys were named Elisha — good for #630 that year. Today's parents encounter it on its way down the popularity curve, which for many parents is exactly the appeal. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Elisha against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Elisha in class?
Elisha scores 55 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "distinctive" band. That middle band is the sweet spot many parents hunt for: recognizable without being everywhere.
Where Elisha is most common
Geography matters for names, and Elisha is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Elishas were TX (38), FL (23), CA (19), NY (16), TN (15). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Elisha
Statistically, parents drawn to Elisha tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Emanuel, Alonso, Misael, Keaton, and Julien.
EmanuelAlonsoMisaelKeatonJulienEmeryTraceEsteban
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Elisha | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 322 | #788 |
| 2024 | 287 | #846 |
| 2023 | 283 | #853 |
| 2022 | 302 | #820 |
| 2021 | 266 | #869 |
| 2020 | 271 | #841 |
| 2019 | 319 | #748 |
| 2018 | 270 | #827 |
| 2017 | 286 | #798 |
| 2016 | 304 | #782 |
| 2015 | 305 | #776 |
| 2014 | 327 | #732 |
| 2013 | 348 | #688 |
| 2012 | 317 | #733 |
| 2011 | 311 | #730 |
| 2010 | 364 | #659 |
| 2009 | 342 | #703 |
| 2008 | 392 | #630 |
| 2007 | 365 | #656 |
| 2006 | 376 | #627 |
| 2005 | 377 | #600 |
| 2004 | 359 | #599 |
| 2003 | 337 | #616 |
| 2002 | 336 | #602 |
| 2001 | 300 | #631 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Elisha a popular boy name?
Elisha ranked #788 among boys in 2025 with 322 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #776.
When was the name Elisha most popular?
Elisha peaked in 2008, when 392 American boys received the name (ranked #630 that year). Since 2008 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Elisha?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 5,590 newborn American boys was named Elisha. It scores 55/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "distinctive".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.