Ilija

“Ilija is a name of Slavic origin derived from the Hebrew name Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ)”

Serbia origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#9226US 2023

8Births / yr

↑Rising

135All-time births

📅 Since 197100

What does Ilija mean and where does it come from?

Ilija is a name of Slavic origin derived from the Hebrew name Elijah (אֵלִיָּהוּ). It is often popular in South Slavic countries, particularly among Orthodox Christians. The name has various forms in different languages, including Elias in Greek and Elijah in English. In Serbian and Croatian, it is

Cultural significance

Ilija has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Serbia-speaking communities, where it reflects values of hebrew.

Peak popularity

Reached #5584 in 1971 — currently #9226 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Ilija?

Ilija works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Ilija Grace

How popular is Ilija right now?

Rising fast — up 977 spots — currently #9226 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1990–2023#9226 · Top 6.8%

1990

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#9226	8	▲ up 977 · +14% births
2022	#10203	7	▼ down 1779 · -22% births
2021	#8424	9	▲ up 431 · +13% births
2020	#8855	8	▲ up 2081 · +33% births
2015	#10936	6	▲ up 1699 · +20% births
2010	#12635	5	▼ down 734
2005	#11901	5	▼ down 5140 · -29% births
1990	#6761	7	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Ilija

Best Year1990Rank #6761

Peak Count9

Average Rank#9868

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1990 - 20238 years

The story of Ilija

Ilija is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1971. With 135 total births recorded, Ilija remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #6761 in 1990, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #9226 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Ilija in 1971:

Michael James David John Robert

Ilija by decade

Ilija peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	5
1990s	18
2000s ★	53
2010s	51
2020s	8

💎Ilija has only 135 total recorded births since 1971 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Ilija?

MACEDONIAN

Ile

BULGARIAN

IlianaIlinaIliyana

CROATIAN

Ilinka

GREEK

Iliana

What names sound and feel like Ilija?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Ilija also consider these

Ilvija

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Iliya

Russia · Bulgarian

Ilira

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Ilijah

Hebrew · אֵלִיָּהוּ

Elija

Hebrew · Yahweh is my

Alija

Slavic countries · Exalted, noble

Ilja

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

Girija

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

How is Ilija written in other languages?

Serbian), Илия

Bulgarian

What are the girl versions of Ilija?

Iliana BULGARIAN Ilina BULGARIAN Iliyana BULGARIAN Ilinka CROATIAN Iliana GREEK Ilina MACEDONIAN Ilinka MACEDONIAN Ilinka SERBIAN Eliot ENGLISH Eliott ENGLISH Elliot ENGLISH Elliott ENGLISH Ellis ENGLISH Yahweh THEOLOGY

Common questions about the name Ilija

What does the name Ilija mean?

Ilija means "Hebrew" — a name rooted in Serbia 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 Ilija?

Ilija is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is becoming rarer and more distinctive, making it a unique choice that stands out.

What is the cultural origin of Ilija?

Ilija originates from Serbia tradition. Serbia names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

What sibling names go well with Ilija?

Ilija pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Serbia heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.

Is Ilija a common or rare name?

Ilija is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.