Surname Elias - Meaning and Origin

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B. Elias

Elias: What does the surname Elias mean?

The last name Elias is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the Hebrew prophet name Elijah. It means "Jehovah is God". In the Bible, Elijah was a prophet who went to heaven in a chariot of fire. This surname is prevalent among those of Jewish, Portuguese, Spanish, and Greek descent and is common in areas like the Middle East, and parts of Europe. In Spanish and Portuguese cultures, the name is spelled as Elías and Elias respectively. Given its religious and cultural connotations, the use of Elias as a surname signifies a family's adherence to religious principles and faith. However, as with many surnames, beyond its original meaning, it serves as a familial identifier passed down over generations.

Elias: Where does the name Elias come from?

The surname Elias originated from the Hebrew personal name Eliyahu, meaning "Jehovah is God" and traces its roots back to the biblical period. The name primarily spread throughout Europe and the Middle East with the expansion of Christianity and later Islam, given that Elias is the form of "Elijah" in the New Testament of the Bible and is also recognized in the Quran.

Today, the surname Elias has a widespread distribution and is common in several nations around the world. It's particularly prevalent in the Philippines, following their Christian naming traditions. Elias is also a popular last name among Jewish communities worldwide.

The surname is notably common in Spain and Portugal (and their former colonies like Brazil, Mexico, and other Latin American nations) as the languages in these countries often use the variant 'Elias' for the biblical figure Elijah. In the Middle East, it's commonly used among Christian Arabs. The expansion of globalism and migration patterns have perpetuated the significant presence of the Elias surname in Western nations like the United States as well.

Variations of the surname Elias

The surname Elias has origins from various cultures including Greek, Hebrew, Spanish, and Portuguese. It has various spellings and forms depending on the particular language or regional variation.

In its original Hebrew form, it is often spelled as Eliyahu. In Greek, it usually appears as Ilias or Helias. In Spanish and Portuguese, you may find it as Elias or Elías with an accent over the 'i'. In several Scandinavian countries, Eliassen and Eliasson are common forms. It might also show up in the forms of Elijas in Lithuanian, or Eliáš in Czech and Slovak. In Hungarian, it converts to Illés.

In English, it can appear in its original form Elias or as a more anglicized form like Ellis. One-time popular forms include Ely and Elly.

It's worth noting that variations can also occur due to cultural and personal preferences, or even transcription errors. Therefore, certain rare or less common variations of the surname may exist. Moreover, patronymic derivatives such as Eliot, Elijah, Elliot, Elian, Eligius, and others also exist.

Famous people with the name Elias

• Jason Elias: He is a former MLB player, playing for 12 seasons from 1990-2002 with several different teams.
• Ernesto Elias: A soccer player from Brazil who competed from 1996-2009 at both the club and international level.
• Ben Elias: A former rugby league player from Australia who won two premierships with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1985 and 2000.
• Gohar Elias: An Egyptian actress, producer, and director, best known for her lead roles in the television series Nour and Kalabsh.
• Christian Charles Elias: A German rap artist, better known as Cro, who has been active since 2009.
• Alex Elias: A professional footballer from Spain who has played for clubs across European leagues.
• Stephanie Elias: An American film editor, active since 2010, who is best known for her work on films such as Spider-Man: Homecoming and X-Men: Days of Future Past.
• Denise Elias: An American television, film, stage, and voice actress, best known for her role as TV Anchorwoman in the popular television sitcom Seinfeld.
• Gaby Elias: A singer and songwriter from Argentina, who is best known for her single “Soledad”.
• Ara Elias: An emerging British film director, producer, writer, and actor, best known for his feature film “One for the Road”.

Other surnames

Eliacik