Elhadji is a firstname of Arabic origin, derived from the phrase 'ahl al-hadith', which means 'family of the tradition'. It was introduced into West Africa during Islamic expansion and has since become popular in countries like Senegal, Mali, and Nigeria. In the west, it gained prominence through sports figures such as El Hadji Diouf, a former footballer for the Senegal national team.
"The name Elhadji experienced notable fluctuations in popularity from 1998 to 2023, with a significant increase from 2021 to 2022 (10 to 12 births), but overall, it maintained an average of around 7 births per year over this period."