What does Ilia mean and where does it come from?
Ilia is a name used predominantly in Slavic countries and can also be found in Hebrew-speaking communities. In Hebrew, it is written as איליה. In various Slavic nations, Ilia is a masculine name, but in other cultures, it is used for females. The name is often associated with individuals who are str
Cultural significance
Ilia has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Russia-speaking communities, where it reflects values of god is my lord.
Peak popularity
Reached #2284 in 1980 — currently #5756 in the US.
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Related Reading
Russia-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →What middle names flow best with Ilia?
Ilia works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Ilia Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Ilia Rose
Floral · soft ending
Ilia Claire
French influence · crisp
Ilia Jane
Literary · strong
Ilia Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Ilia right now?
Rising fast — up 5639 spots — currently #5756 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #5756 | 16 | ▲ up 5639 · +167% births |
| 2022 | #11395 | 6 | ▼ down 2972 · -33% births |
| 2021 | #8423 | 9 | ▼ down 52 · -25% births |
| 2020 | #8371 | 12 | ▲ up 102 · -8% births |
| 2015 | #8473 | 13 | ▼ down 183 · -7% births |
| 2010 | #8290 | 14 | ▲ up 1895 · +40% births |
| 2005 | #10185 | 10 | ▼ down 253 · +11% births |
| 2000 | #9932 | 9 | ▼ down 3246 · -31% births |
| 1995 | #6686 | 13 | ▼ down 505 · -7% births |
| 1990 | #6181 | 14 | ▲ up 1473 · +75% births |
| 1985 | #7654 | 8 | ▼ down 5370 · -81% births |
| 1980 | #2284 | 43 | ▲ up 5843 · +617% births |
| 1975 | #8127 | 6 | ▼ down 2211 · -25% births |
| 1970 | #5916 | 8 | ▼ down 1628 · -20% births |
| 1965 | #4288 | 10 | — |
The story of Ilia
Ilia entered American naming records in 1912 and has been in use for over 112 years. With 870 total births recorded, Ilia remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #4552 in 1915, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5756 in 2023. Ilia is used for both genders: 83% female and 17% male.
Names that peaked alongside Ilia in 1980:
Ilia by decade
Ilia peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1910s | 10 | |
| 1920s | 17 | |
| 1930s | 5 | |
| 1950s | 23 | |
| 1960s | 64 | |
| 1970s | 58 | |
| 1980s | 162 | |
| 1990s | 114 | |
| 2000s | 168 | |
| 2010s ★ | 232 | |
| 2020s | 17 | |
💎Ilia has only 870 total recorded births since 1912 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Ilia?
BULGARIAN
IlianaIlinaIliyana
What names sound and feel like Ilia?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Ilia also consider these
How is Ilia written in other languages?
ილია
Georgian), Илья (Russian), Илия (Bulgarian), Илїа (Church Slavic
Common questions about the name Ilia
What does the name Ilia mean?
Ilia means "God is my Lord" — a name rooted in Russia tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Ilia?
Ilia is currently a distinctive and less common name as a baby name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Ilia have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Ilia?
Ilia originates from Russia tradition. Russia names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Ilia?
Ilia is a three-syllable name pronounced IH1 L IY1 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
What sibling names go well with Ilia?
Ilia pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Russia heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.