Ilyas
il-YAHS
Ilyas is the Arabic form of the biblical name Elijah, meaning God is my Lord or my God is YHWH in Hebrew. In Islamic tradition, Ilyas is a prophet mentioned by name in the Quran, praised for his righteousness and his steadfast call to worship God alone. He is associated in many traditions with the biblical prophet Elijah. The name carries the dual heritage of both Quranic scripture and the Hebrew Bible, making it one of the great Abrahamic names shared across Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in different forms.
At a glance
The Arabic form of Elijah, meaning God is my Lord. A Quranic prophet name shared across Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, with a strong, melodic sound.
Etymology & History
Ilyas is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu (Elijah), composed of 'El' (God) and 'Yahu' (a form of the divine name YHWH), meaning my God is YHWH or God is my Lord. The name entered Arabic via Aramaic and is rendered as Ilyas in the Quran. Related forms include Elias in Greek and Latin, Elie in French, and Elijah in English. The name belongs to the family of El-names common across Semitic languages, including Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, all of which contain the element El meaning God.
Cultural Significance
Ilyas is a prophetic name in Islam, mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-An'am (6:85) and Surah As-Saffat (37:123-132). The Quranic account praises Ilyas as one of the righteous prophets who called his people away from the worship of Baal and toward God alone. In Islamic tradition, Ilyas is sometimes associated with immortality or a continued spiritual presence, similar to traditions around the biblical Elijah. The name is widely used across Arab, Turkish, South Asian, and Malay Muslim communities. Its near-identical form in Western languages (Elias, Elijah) makes it one of the most natural bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim naming traditions.
Famous people named Ilyas
Prophet Ilyas (Elijah)
Quranic prophet mentioned in Surah Al-An'am and Surah As-Saffat, praised for calling his people away from idol worship and back to the worship of God alone.
Ilyas Kashmiri
Pakistani militant leader whose name gained prominence in security discussions during the 2000s, a figure from the contested landscape of South Asian geopolitics.
Elias Canetti (Ilyas/Elias)
Bulgarian-born British author and Nobel Prize laureate in Literature in 1981, whose works explored crowd psychology and human nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Ilyas
Elias
“The Lord is my God, faithful one”
Elias carries the powerful meaning "the Lord is my God," derived from the Hebrew prophet Elijah. The name expresses steadfast faith and spiritual conviction, and has resonated with parents across cultures for centuries. Its melodic sound and deep roots give it both beauty and gravitas.
Elijah
“My God is Yahweh”
Elijah comes from the Hebrew 'Eliyyahu,' composed of 'El' (God) and 'Yah' (a shortened form of Yahweh). The name is a declaration of faith, asserting that the bearer's God is the Lord. It carries an unmistakable sense of spiritual conviction and prophetic authority.
Idris
“Prophet of study and truth”
Idris in the Norse tradition is understood to combine elements meaning 'eager' or 'active' with a sense of noble rulership, producing a name that speaks to dynamic, purposeful leadership. It also appears in Welsh mythology in reference to a giant astronomer-king, and in Arabic tradition as a prophet, giving the name a rare cross-cultural breadth that amplifies its power. In Norse contexts it evokes the fiery energy of a young warrior chief coming into his strength.
Issa
“God is salvation”
Issa is the Arabic form of Jesus, derived ultimately from the Hebrew Yeshua, meaning God is salvation or God saves. In Islam, Issa (also spelt Isa) is one of the most revered prophets, mentioned 25 times in the Quran. He is described as the Messiah, a miracle worker, and a prophet born of the Virgin Mary. While Muslims do not regard him as divine, they hold him in the highest esteem as a holy messenger.
Musa
“Drawn from the water”
Musa is the Arabic and African form of Moses, carrying the meaning drawn from the water, a reference to the Biblical and Quranic story of the infant prophet being rescued from the River Nile. The name is widely used across sub-Saharan Africa, the Arab world, and among Muslim communities globally, carrying both prophetic and, through figures like Mansa Musa of Mali, imperial significance. Its brevity and melodic quality have made it one of the most enduring names in the Islamic naming tradition.
Yahya
“God is gracious”
Yahya is the Arabic form of the biblical name John, derived from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning God is gracious or God has shown favour. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is a prophet mentioned in the Quran, identified with John the Baptist in the Christian tradition. He was the son of the Prophet Zakaria and is described as wise, devout, and chaste from childhood. The name carries great spiritual weight and is considered blessed in both Islamic and broader Abrahamic traditions.
Yunus
“Dove; divine mercy”
Yunus is an anglicized form widely used in English-speaking countries among Muslim communities of Turkish, Arabic, South Asian, and African heritage. The name carries profound spiritual weight as the name of a Quranic prophet, while its meaning of 'dove' lends it an additional association with peace. It has grown in visibility in the English-speaking world alongside growing Muslim diaspora communities.
Where you'll find Ilyas
Ilyas shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.