MallowbyNames

Ilia

EE-lee-uh · The Lord is my God, or of uncertain origin, possibly a feminine form of Elijah.

2025 rank (girls)
#4,172
Babies named in 2025
34
Peak popularity
1980
2025 frequency
1 in 47,273 girls
Usually for
Girls & boys
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady, #4,172 for girls today.

Popularity of Ilia since 1912

Babies named Ilia per year in U.S. Social Security records.

193756192019602000Most births 1980GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirlsBoys
1910s100
1920s170
1930s50
1940s00
1950s230
1960s640
1970s580
1980s1620
1990s10113
2000s10761
2010s16866
2020s106116

Meaning & origin

Ilia has been recorded in the United States since 1912, though it has never been common. Its highest rank came in 1980, when it reached its peak popularity among newborns. In recent years, the name has remained stable in usage, neither surging nor declining significantly. Texas has been the top state for the name Ilia. While its origins are primarily Hebrew, used as a feminine form of Elijah, the name also appears in Slavic contexts, where it can be a variant of Ilya. The duality of its gender association reflects its cross-cultural adoption, making it a versatile choice for families seeking a name with spiritual resonance and international appeal.

Ilia is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' It is commonly used as a feminine form of Elijah in some cultures, particularly in Italian and Spanish contexts. The name has also been adopted in Eastern Europe, where it may be a variant of Ilya or Iliya.

Where Ilia is most popular

Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.

Ilia” around the world

Where Ilia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    5

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    3

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Lee, Lia

Variants: Ilya, Illya, Eliya

Sibling names for Ilia

Names that share Ilia's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Mia, Sofia, Aria, Lena, Nora

Brothers: Luca, Eli, Leo, Milo, Theo

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

I is for Ilia, our favorite little person.

I is for Ilia…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Ilia's letter becomes Ilia's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Ilia's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Ilia mean?
Ilia is often considered a feminine form of Elijah, meaning 'my God is Yahweh' in Hebrew. However, its exact meaning is debated, as it may also be derived from other roots in different cultures.
How popular is the name Ilia?
Ilia is relatively rare. In 2023, it ranked 4,172 in the United States, given to about 1 in every 47,273 newborns.
Is Ilia a boy or girl name?
Ilia is used for both boys and girls, though in the U.S. it is more often given to girls. In other cultures, such as Russian, it is a masculine name.