Rising since 2009, #3,949 for boys today.
Popularity of Ilay since 2008
Babies named Ilay per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 7 |
| 2010s | 95 |
| 2020s | 106 |
Meaning & origin
Ilay entered the U.S. naming data in 2008, a relatively recent arrival that reflects growing interest in Hebrew names with crisp, modern sounds. As of 2025, it ranks 3,949th, a position of moderate rarity, and it is given to roughly 1 in 63,262 newborns. The name has been on a steady upward trajectory since 2009, peaking in 2025, suggesting increasing but still selective adoption. Ilay is most common in New York and Florida, states with large Jewish populations. Its rise aligns with broader trends favoring short, vowel-ending names with spiritual undertones, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet grounded in tradition.
Ilay is a Hebrew name derived from the word 'alah' meaning 'to ascend' or 'to go up.' It appears in the Hebrew Bible as a name associated with elevation, both physical and spiritual. In modern Israel, Ilay has gained popularity as a contemporary masculine name, reflecting a trend toward short, melodic names with biblical resonance.
Where Ilay is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ilay” around the world
Where Ilay lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
25
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ili, Lay
Sibling names for Ilay
Names that share Ilay's style, for a brother or sister.
