Ilia Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: IL-ee-uh /ˈɪl.i.ə/
Origin: Hebrew; Slavic
Meaning: Hebrew: God is my Lord; Slavic: bright, shining
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Ilia has its roots in the ancient Hebrew name Eliyahu, which translates to "My God is Yahweh." This name was adapted into Greek as Elias and later into Latin as Elia. The transition into English occurred through various cultural exchanges, particularly during the medieval period when biblical names became more prominent in Christian contexts.
The name Ilia can also be seen as a variant of the name Iliana, which has Slavic origins, deriving from the Greek name Helene, meaning "torch" or "light." This dual lineage highlights the name's rich linguistic heritage across different cultures. Historically, the name Ilia has been associated with several significant figures.
In the Christian tradition, Elias is recognized as a prophet in the Hebrew Bible, known for his role in the Book of Kings, where he defends the worship of Yahweh against the prophets of Baal. This biblical figure's prominence has contributed to the name's enduring presence in various cultures.
Additionally, the name Ilia appears in Slavic contexts, where it has been borne by notable saints and historical figures, further embedding it in the cultural fabric of Eastern Europe. Culturally, the name Ilia carries connotations of strength and divine connection, reflecting its biblical origins.
In Slavic cultures, it is often associated with resilience and faith, making it a name of significance in both religious and secular contexts. The name's variations, such as Iliana, also resonate with similar themes of light and divinity, enhancing its symbolic weight.
The enduring nature of Ilia across different languages and cultures underscores its historical importance and the deep-rooted traditions that continue to celebrate its legacy.
Famous people named Ilia
In this section, you will find notable people named Ilia. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Ilia who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Ilia who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Ilia Kovalchuk is a professional ice hockey player best known for his time with the Atlanta Thrashers, New Jersey Devils, and the Russian national team.
Ilia Muromets is a legendary hero in Russian folklore known for his strength and bravery in epic tales.
Ilia Repin is a Russian realist painter best known for his works such as Barge Haulers on the Volga, Ivan the Terrible and His Son, and Reply of the Zaporozhian Cossacks.
Ilia Somin is a law professor and legal scholar best known for his work on property rights and constitutional law.
Fictional characters named Ilia
The following list of fictional characters named Ilia is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Ilia is a fictional character from the video game The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. She is a key supporting character who helps the protagonist, Link, in his quest to save Hyrule.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ilia, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ilia. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Ilia was first seen in the United States in 1912.
Ilia has ranked as high as #1072 nationally, which occurred in 1980, and has been most popular in New York, California, and Texas.
In the past 5 years the name Ilia has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Ilia is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Ilia was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Ilia (2017)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Ilia.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2023 | 17 |
| 2022 | 11 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2017 | 23 |
| 2016 | 14 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2014 | 21 |
| 2013 | 21 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2010 | 14 |
| 2009 | 13 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2001 | 15 |
| 2000 | 9 |
| 1999 | 16 |
| 1998 | 10 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1994 | 8 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 12 |
| 1990 | 14 |
| 1989 | 14 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1987 | 8 |
| 1985 | 8 |
| 1984 | 12 |
| 1983 | 18 |
| 1982 | 21 |
| 1981 | 29 |
| 1980 | 43 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 6 |
| 1974 | 5 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1971 | 6 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1969 | 5 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1967 | 5 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1965 | 10 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1962 | 6 |
| 1961 | 9 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1958 | 9 |
| 1956 | 9 |
| 1954 | 5 |
| 1931 | 5 |
| 1925 | 5 |
| 1924 | 6 |
| 1923 | 6 |
| 1915 | 5 |
| 1912 | 5 |