do you think it's cruel...

[MaElsie]

...to call a child Elijah? What does it say to you - "unusual but nice", "pretentious" or "very very unfortunate"? Does Elijah Wood make it acceptable these days?

It's one of those names I really like in theory (strong, manly, the kind of name you say with feeling in a deep voice), but am not sure about in practice!

Also, can you think of anything nice it could be shortened to?

[BitOfFun]

I think it depends on your cultural connections, personally. I would steer clear as I'm not Jewish, and it would feel pretentious to me. A bit like people with absolutely no Irish connections picking names like Aoife etc. But I'm sure not everyone would agree, and it is a lovely name.

[GibbonInARibbon]

Quite like it actually, would be shortened to Eli I would think.

[MaElsie]

We're not Jewish, but are Christian, so there is a connection.

Eli is what I thought, but it just makes me think of that short-sighted guy in Last of the Summer Wine!

[Bubbaloo]

Ds2 was going to be Elijah,but we agreed that it sounded too biblical for us and we also didn't like the shortening of Eli.
Love the name though.

[Stokey]

I have a friend called Elias, Eli, which i really like

[GrendelsMum]

Why not? Perfectly good name.

[Tinker]

Loads of names are biblical though aren't they? Lots of really every day names.

[BitOfFun]

I was under the impression that generally Christians use the New Testament names, tbh, especially for boys. Perhaps that's because I was brought up Catholic though, and they tend to use Saints' names.

[chegirl]

I think its lovely and not at all pretentious.

Its a biblical name but many names are. I dont think its the same as choosing a complicated Irish name if you are not Irish (although if thats what people want to do why not?). It may be in the JudeoChristian tradition but that doesnt make it a Jewish or Christian name.

If you like it you should use it.

As tinker says lots of everyday (even 'chav') names are from the bible.

[BitOfFun]

[JeMeSouviens]

uhm, no not cruel at all. I have an Elijah, as in the prophet, not the actor, and he is shortened to Eli.

[waitingforbedtime]

I love the name Elijah

[chegirl]

There were some characters in the James Herriot books that were named after whole chapters of the Old Testament - now I think even I would baulk at that!

Lamentations Smith

[BitOfFun]

Nah, never heard of it

[mrsradders]

love it and agrre would be eli which id lovely too. xx

[fridayschild]

I don't think he'd be out of place in SW London as an Elijah or an Eli. Nor would he be one of ten Elijahs at nursery school - if you're looking for a "proper" name which is not too popular I think it fits the bill.

[chegirl]

BoF

I went to a church where scriptures were not overly relied on. My memories of the OT come from Sunday School in the early 70s!

[MaggieBelleVirgo]

I don't like it....

I don't like any boys names that start with 'ell' though. too feminine. what do you shorten it to?

and Elijah/? too bible. I mean Reuben I love. Ethan, Jacob, fine. But Zebedee, Ebenezer and Elijah... too hard core bible for my taste.

[tummytickler]

I dont think it is cruel at all. My ds is nearly 7 and called Elijah - we call him Eli (again prophet, not Wood!), nobody has ever said we are evil parents!
It is a known name, but is not too popular - i love it!

[bronze]

I desperately wanted to call ds3 elijah. I'm still sad about it

[Beauregard]

I know someone with a ds called Elijah ,i think it is a lovely name.

[battlehips]

I really like it - and Eli is a cool nn IMO.

[Concordia]

I know someone with a DS called Elijah (not shortened). She is a Christian. I was a bit at first, but now i've got used to it i rather like the name. It becomes the child and doesn't sound too pretentious. Maybe Elijah is the new Seth? (now that Seths are everywhere?) or the new Reuben (ditto)

[GrimmaTheNome]

It says Mendlessohns oratorio to me but that's probably an unusual reaction

[MamaLazarou]

Cruel? Elijah?

Perhaps I am missing something.

It sounds like a perfectly reasonable name to me.