Ilona Girl

Popularity: #910 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: ee-LOH-nah /iˈloʊ.nə/

Origin: Hungarian; Hebrew

Meaning: Hungarian: light; Hebrew: God is my light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ilona has its roots in the Hungarian language, derived from the Latin name Helena, which itself originates from the Ancient Greek name Ἑλένη (Helénē). The Greek name is believed to be derived from the word ἥλιος (hēlios), meaning "sun," or possibly from the word ἐλένη (helene), meaning "torch" or "light." This etymological lineage reflects a connection to brightness and illumination, which has been a significant theme in various cultures throughout history.

The name entered the Hungarian lexicon and has been used since at least the Middle Ages, gaining prominence in the region due to the influence of Christianity and the veneration of Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, who is credited with finding the True Cross in the 4th century. Throughout history, the name Ilona has been associated with various cultural and literary figures, particularly in Hungarian folklore and literature.

One notable mention is the character Ilona in Hungarian folk tales, often depicted as a beautiful and virtuous maiden, which has contributed to the name's enduring appeal in Hungarian culture. The name also appears in various literary works, reinforcing its cultural significance and connection to themes of beauty and virtue.

In addition to its literary and folkloric associations, Ilona has also been linked to various traditions and customs in Hungary. The name is often celebrated in folk songs and is associated with certain cultural festivities, reflecting its deep roots in the national identity.

The diminutive form, Iluska, is sometimes used affectionately, showcasing the name's versatility and its ability to adapt within familial and social contexts. Overall, Ilona embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic, historical, and cultural significance that has allowed it to endure through the centuries.

Famous people named Ilona

In this section, you will find notable people named Ilona. 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 Ilona who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ilona 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.

Ilona Andrews is a writing duo best known for the Kate Daniels series and the Hidden Legacy series.

Ilona Massey was an actress and singer best known for her roles in films such as The Great Ziegfeld and The Lady from Shanghai.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ilona, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElenaLenaAnyaMiraSofiaNina

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Ilona. 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.

AlinaIslaLilaSelinaTaliaMinaZinaLana

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Ilona was first seen in the United States in 1909.

Ilona has ranked as high as #1402 nationally, which occurred in 1946, and has been most popular in New York, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Ilona has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ilona 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 Ilona was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

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 Ilona.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 38 38
2024 28 28
2023 17 17
2022 22 22
2021 19 19
2020 24 24
2019 30 30
2018 29 29
2017 28 28
2016 35 35
2015 36 36
2014 19 19
2013 22 22
2012 26 26
2011 24 24
2010 27 27
2009 22 22
2008 32 32
2007 33 33
2006 26 26
2005 37 37
2004 34 34
2003 23 23
2002 27 27
2001 21 21
2000 27 27
1999 25 25
1998 20 20
1997 24 24
1996 18 18
1995 22 22
1994 16 16
1993 20 20
1992 20 20
1991 15 15
1990 29 29
1989 9 9
1988 12 12
1987 14 14
1986 16 16
1985 16 16
1984 25 25
1983 16 16
1982 21 21
1981 22 22
1980 23 23
1979 22 22
1978 22 22
1977 17 17
1976 21 21
1975 28 28
1974 26 26
1973 32 32
1972 22 22
1971 29 29
1970 40 40
1969 32 32
1968 29 29
1967 43 43
1966 30 30
1965 34 34
1964 38 38
1963 50 50
1962 32 32
1961 51 51
1960 35 35
1959 40 40
1958 45 45
1957 53 53
1956 53 53
1955 43 43
1954 59 59
1953 63 63
1952 75 75
1951 68 68
1950 72 72
1949 73 73
1948 56 56
1947 101 101
1946 102 102
1945 56 56
1944 52 52
1943 83 83
1942 82 82
1941 58 58
1940 75 75
1939 29 29
1938 19 19
1937 12 12
1936 6 6
1935 8 8
1934 5 5
1933 5 5
1932 7 7
1931 11 11
1930 11 11
1929 10 10
1928 10 10
1927 19 19
1926 10 10
1925 8 8
1924 7 7
1923 9 9
1922 15 15
1921 10 10
1920 8 8
1919 8 8
1917 16 16
1916 11 11
1915 9 9
1914 8 8
1913 6 6
1912 8 8
1911 5 5
1910 6 6
1909 5 5

Top States for Ilona (2020)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 5
100%