E + LIE + UH

Travis and I took Eliya to her first Dr. appointment last week. The nurse called out Aliyah (or Aaliyah if you prefer) and I looked at Travis and said that's us. He said that's not her name. I said get used to it. I think that she may have to get used to it too as the same thing happened yesterday at her follow up appointment!

Travis thought of the name because of the well-known director/filmmaker Elia Kazan. Kazan was known for his influential films that touched on social issues such as anti-Semitism and racism in America. After further research, we learned that Elia means "The Lord is My God" and, from that point on, baby girl was known as Eliya.

The "y" was introduced by Oma as we told her the night before Eliya was born about her name. We had just found out that Jack had RSV and that Oma wouldn't be coming to the hospital because she would be with Jack. She suggested the "iy" and we agreed.

There you have the condensed version behind Eliya's name, pronounced E + LIE + UH!