Elishah is a biblical Hebrew name generally understood as meaning God is salvation or God saves.
Elishah (אֱלִישָׁה) is a Biblical Hebrew name of considerable antiquity, appearing in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10:4 as a son of Javan — himself a son of Japheth and grandson of Noah. The name is generally interpreted to mean "God is salvation" or "my God is salvation," built from the Hebrew elements "El" (God) and a root related to salvation or deliverance. This makes it a close linguistic relative of Elisha (the prophet) and Elijah, names from the same theological register.
Elishah's most significant geographic and cultural appearance is in Ezekiel 27:7, where the "islands of Elishah" are named as a source of blue and purple dyes for Tyre's famous sails. Scholars have long debated which region Elishah corresponds to — candidates include Cyprus (Alashiya in ancient cuneiform texts), parts of the Aegean, or coastal Anatolia. This connection to the ancient Mediterranean dye trade links the name to Phoenician commerce, Greek contact, and the luxury goods of the ancient world.
The name thus sits at a fascinating crossroads of biblical genealogy and real historical geography. In modern usage, Elishah is rare and deliberate — chosen by parents, often in religious communities, who appreciate its deep scriptural roots and its distinction from the better-known Elisha. Its archaic quality is part of its appeal: it sounds like a name recovered from a library shelf, carrying the dust and dignity of something genuinely old.