עברית
Faith
The Name Elia for a Son
Question
Hello, I would like to know the origin of the name Elia, and whether it is a good name for a boy. I saw somewhere that the name Elia is a shortening of Eliyahu, and that it is not good to name a boy this because it is a shortening; is there any basis for this? Thank you very much.
Answer
Hello, The name Elia originates from the Bible, and it is a good name for a boy.
Sources: It is mentioned in the prophet Malachi (Chapter 3, verse 23), "Behold, I am sending you Elijah the prophet." It is also mentioned in Chronicles I (Chapter 8, verse 27). Moreover, one of the great halachic authorities, Rabbi Elia Shapira, zt"l (who lived over 300 years ago), authored the well-known book "Elia Rabbah" (see Responsa Chatam Sofer, Part Even HaEzer, Section 26). This is also stated in the book Yeshuot Mordechai (page 116) in the name of Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, zt"l, that the name Elia is good for a boy. Regarding the opinion of Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, zt"l, about this name, see the book Vayikra Shemo B'Yisrael (page 376) and the book Mayan Omer, Volume 12 (Chapter 1, Section 31). Best regards, Hillel Meirs.
