NameCensus.

UK boy's name

Elion

A French masculine name derived from the French phrase "El ion" meaning "the Lord's gift".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Elion is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Elion popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #1675, with 15 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 15 births.

This profile covers 114 England and Wales registrations across 19 recorded years from 2000 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

Elion is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.

We estimate that about 113 living people in the UK are called Elion. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Elion ranked #1675 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 15 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2024, when 15 boys were registered as Elion.
  • About 113 living people in the UK are estimated to have Elion as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#1675

2024

Births in 2024

15

Latest year

Peak year

2024

15 births

Estimated living

113

2026

Meaning

What does Elion mean?

The given name Elion finds its origins in the ancient Greek language and culture, dating back to the classical era. It is believed to be derived from the Greek word "helios," which means "sun." The name may have initially been used to honor the sun god Helios, a prominent figure in Greek mythology.

In ancient Greek texts, the name Elion is mentioned as a variant spelling of the name Helios. This connection to the sun god suggests that the name may have been given to individuals born during particularly sunny or auspicious times, or as a way to invoke the blessings and protection of the sun deity.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Elion can be found in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who lived in the 5th century BC. He mentions an individual named Elion who served as a messenger during the Greco-Persian Wars.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Elion. One such individual was Elion of Smyrna, a Greek philosopher who lived in the 2nd century AD and was known for his teachings on Stoicism.

Another prominent figure was Elion of Alexandria, a Christian martyr who lived in the 3rd century AD during the Roman persecution of Christians. He is celebrated as a saint in various Christian traditions for his unwavering faith and sacrifice.

In the realm of science, Gertrude B. Elion (1918-1999) was an American biochemist and pharmacologist who made significant contributions to the development of drugs for the treatment of various diseases, including leukemia, gout, and viral infections. Her pioneering work earned her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1988.

In the world of literature, Elion Gonzalez (1916-1999) was a prominent Cuban poet and writer known for his works that explored themes of identity, exile, and the human condition. His poetry collections, such as "Viaje a la Semilla" (Journey to the Seed), received critical acclaim and helped establish him as a prominent voice in Latin American literature.

While the name Elion may not be as common in modern times, its historical roots and associations with the ancient Greek culture, mythology, and notable individuals throughout history have contributed to its enduring significance and cultural legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Elion over time

The chart below shows babies named Elion registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Elion, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 15 births in 2024, compared with 15 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Elion
0481115200020122024

Decades

Elion by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Elion was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #2414 47 5
2010s #3461 41 8
2000s #3103 26 6

Related

Names similar to Elion

FAQ

Elion: questions and answers

How popular is the name Elion in the UK right now?

In 2024, Elion was ranked #1675 for boys in England and Wales, with 15 births registered.

When was Elion most popular?

The peak year on record was 2024, with 15 babies registered as Elion in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Elion?

A French masculine name derived from the French phrase "El ion" meaning "the Lord's gift".

How many people are called Elion in the UK?

A total of 114 babies have been registered as Elion across the 19 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.