Rising since 1991, #1,443 for boys today.
Popularity of Ilan since 1965
Babies named Ilan per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 34 |
| 1970s | 137 |
| 1980s | 220 |
| 1990s | 296 |
| 2000s | 771 |
| 2010s | 1,002 |
| 2020s | 771 |
Meaning & origin
Ilan is a Hebrew name meaning 'tree,' a direct and natural choice that has seen consistent use in Jewish communities. First recorded in the United States in 1965, the name has been steadily rising in popularity since 1991, reaching its peak rank in 2023. In 2025, it ranked 1443, with about 1 in 13775 boys receiving the name. The name is most common in New Jersey, New York, and Georgia. Its straightforward etymology and gentle sound make it a grounded choice that has grown in appeal without becoming ubiquitous.
Ilan comes directly from the Hebrew word אִילָן (ilan), meaning 'tree.' It is a masculine given name that appears in Jewish contexts, though it is not a biblical name. The name is used in Israel and among Jewish diaspora communities, sometimes as a variant of the more common Ilana (the feminine form).
Where Ilan is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ilan” around the world
Where Ilan lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
165
babies in 2024
Quebec
9
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ili, Lanny
Variants: Elan, Ilana (feminine)
Sibling names for Ilan
Names that share Ilan's style, for a brother or sister.
