Rising since 2022, #10,695 for boys today.
Popularity of Ilir since 1977
Babies named Ilir per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 11 |
| 1980s | 32 |
| 1990s | 70 |
| 2000s | 29 |
| 2010s | 6 |
| 2020s | 13 |
Meaning & origin
Ilir is a masculine Albanian name tied to the ancient Illyrian people, a group that inhabited the western Balkans before the Middle Ages. The name first appeared in U.S. records in 1977 and reached its peak popularity in 1991. In 2023, it ranked 10,695th, with approximately 1 in 284,679 boys given the name. Its usage has been rising since 2022, reflecting a modest revival of interest. Ilir is most common among Albanian-American communities, though it has not been recorded in any top states. The name remains uncommon, preserving a distinct cultural heritage.
Ilir is an Albanian name derived from the ancient Illyrians, the people who inhabited the western Balkans in antiquity. The name has been in use in Albania and among Albanian diaspora communities, particularly since the late 20th century. It is sometimes interpreted as meaning 'free' or 'the one who is free', but this etymology is not firmly established.
“Ilir” around the world
Where Ilir lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ilirjan, Ilirjon
Sibling names for Ilir
Names that share Ilir's style, for a brother or sister.
