Elisha

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Elisha

Gender: Masculine, Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:
When Elisha is masculine, it is from a Hebrew name meaning “God is Help.”
-or-
When Elisha is feminine, it is another form of Alicia, the Latin and Spanish form of Alice, the modern English form of Adelaide. Adelaide contracted to Adelais to Adeliz to Aliz to Alice. See Adelaide for more information.

History:
Elisha, a minor Biblical name (often confused with Elijah), was revived by 17th century English Puritans. It lasted longer than one would have expected it to, and is not experiencing a bit of a revival.

Pronunciation: eh-lye-shah.

Famous Bearers:
Political Figures:
Elisha Peyre Ferry (m., 1825-1895)
The first governor of Washington.

Religious Figures:
Elisha (m., Biblical)
A Hebrew prophet. A successor to Elijah.

Scientists:
Elisha King Root (m., 1808-1865)
American inventor.
Elisha Otis (m., 1811-1861)
American inventor of the safety elevator.
Elisha Kent Kane (m., 1820-1857)
American physician.
Elisha Gray (m., 1835-1901)
American inventor. He claimed to have invented the telephone.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for males:
0.004 % named Elisha

Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census, for females:
0.008 % named Elisha

Popularity of Elisha, for males:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1800: 73rd most popular.
1850: 173rd most popular.
1875: 229th most popular.
1900-1910: 739th most popular.
1910-1920: 752nd most popular.
1920-1930: 704th most popular.
1930-1980: N/A
1980-1990: 886th most popular.
1990: 974th most popular.
1991: 913th most popular.
1992: 901st most popular.
1993: 901st most popular.
1994: 802nd most popular.
1995: 767th most popular.
1996: 699th most popular.
1997: 696th most popular.
1998: 687th most popular.
1999: 632nd most popular.
2000: 655th most popular.
2001: 650th most popular.
2002: 606th most popular.
2003: 612th most popular.

Popularity of Elisha, for females:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-1970: N/A
1970-1980: 653rd most popular.
1980-1990: 460th most popular.
1990: 673rd most popular.
1991: 731st most popular.
1992: 735th most popular.
1993: 807th most popular.
1994: 841st most popular.
1995: 883rd most popular.
1996: 902nd most popular.
1997: 984th most popular.
1998: 945th most popular.
1999: N/A