Declining since 2014, #3,296 for girls today.
Popularity of Ily since 1915
Babies named Ily per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2015, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Ily's real moment was 2022.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 129 |
| 2010s | 544 |
| 2020s | 317 |
Meaning & origin
Ily is a rare and modern name in the United States, with first recorded use in 1915. It saw a peak in popularity in 2022, ranking 3,296 in 2025 and occurring in about 1 in 34,197 births. The name has been on a downward trend since 2014, but remains most common in California and Texas. Its origins are uncertain, but it is often considered a creative respelling of Lily or a short form of names like Iliana. Ily appeals to parents seeking a short, distinctive name with a contemporary feel, though it lacks deep historical roots.
Ily is a modern, invented name that emerged in the United States in the early 20th century, first recorded in 1915. Its origins are unclear, but it is likely a creative respelling of Lily or a diminutive of names such as Iliana or Ilona. It may also be influenced by the French word 'il' (meaning 'he'), though this is speculative. The name saw a notable rise in popularity starting in the 2010s, peaking in 2022.
Where Ily is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ily” around the world
Where Ily lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
20
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Ily
Names that share Ily's style, for a brother or sister.
