Elham

“inspiration” — Associated with spiritual inspiration or divine guidance

Iran origin · Unisex name

♂ 13% boys♀ 87% girls

#7350US 2023

15Births / yr

↑Rising

330All-time births

📅 Since 197400

How to pronounce Elham

ELH·AM

/ˈɛlh.ˈæm/ · stress on ELH · 2 syllables

“inspiration”

Associated with spiritual inspiration or divine guidance · Iran origin

What does Elham mean and where does it come from?

Elham (الهام) is a Persian name meaning 'inspiration' or 'the gift of inspiration'. It is commonly used in Iran and among Persian-speaking communities. In Arabic-speaking countries, it carries a similar meaning and is often associated with spiritual inspiration or divine guidance. The name has been

Cultural significance

Elham has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Iran-speaking communities, where it reflects values of inspiration.

Peak popularity

Reached #4902 in 1978 — currently #7350 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Elham?

Elham works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Elham Grace

How popular is Elham right now?

Rising fast — up 808 spots — currently #7350 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1980–2023#7350 · Top 5.4%

1980

1990

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#7350	15	▲ up 808 · +15% births
2022	#8158	13	▲ up 453 · +8% births
2021	#8611	12	▼ down 575 · -8% births
2020	#8036	13	▲ up 3068 · +44% births
2015	#11104	9	▼ down 4418 · -31% births
1990	#6686	13	▼ down 823 · +8% births
1980	#5863	12	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Elham

Best Year1980Rank #5863

Peak Count15

Average Rank#7973

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1980 - 20237 years

The story of Elham

Elham is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1974. With 330 total births recorded, Elham remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #5863 in 1980, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #7350 in 2023. Elham is used for both genders: 87% female and 13% male.

Names that peaked alongside Elham in 1978:

Jennifer Melissa Jessica Amy Heather

Elham by decade

Elham peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	33
1980s	75
1990s	43
2000s	47
2010s ★	109
2020s	23

💎Elham has only 330 total recorded births since 1974 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Elham?

Common

Elh

What names sound and feel like Elham?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Elham also consider these

Elhan

Israel · Hebrew

Etham

English · from the island

Elhaam

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Elha

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

England · Old English

Ilham

Arabic · inspiration

How is Elham written in other languages?

الهام

Persian

Gender variants of Elham

Ilham ARABIC İlhami TURKISH

Common questions about the name Elham

What does the name Elham mean?

Elham means "inspiration" — a name rooted in Iran tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Elham?

Elham is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Elham have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Elham?

Elham originates from Iran tradition. Iran names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Elham?

Elham is a two-syllable name pronounced EH1 L HH AE1 M. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Elham trending right now?

Elham is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.