The original mascot, or team name, of Elon was the Fightin' Christians since 1921. In 2000 the University changed the name to the Phoenix. Many attribute this for a desire of the trustees to find a name "universal enough" to recognize its entrance into Division I athletics. This choice refers to the disastrous school fire in 1923 that burned down most of the school. Following the fire, the University trustees began to rebuild to make Elon "rise from the ashes" of its predecessor, as did the mythological bird, the Phoenix.

As Elon is the Hebrew word for "oak tree", some may have chosen that as the answer.

More Info: en.m.wikipedia.org