Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Ilya
UnisexRussian, Hebrew· “Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”
- Meaning
- Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh
- Origin
- Russian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- EEL-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,153
- US babies 2025
- 38
- Best rank
- #2,623 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Ilya
Ilya is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”.
Ilya is the Russian form of Elijah, from Hebrew Eliyahu, my God is Yahweh. Elijah is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible who is taken to heaven in a chariot of fire. Ilya Muromets is a hero of Russian folk epics, a warrior who defends the land against invaders. The painter Ilya Repin is a well-known bearer. It is said EEL-yuh. In Russia it is a boys' name, but in English-speaking countries it is sometimes given to girls, because its -a ending looks feminine. Elias and Elijah are related forms.
Popularity over time
Ilya first appears in US Social Security records in 1966. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,623 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 48 babies. In 2025, 38 babies were named Ilya, and it ranked #3,153 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,462 in 2000, #3,402 in 2010, and #3,153 in 2025. Of the 970 US boys named Ilya since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 247 babies.
Other babies' names that peaked around the same time include Rhylan, Salah, Prescott, Omega, and Rogue.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ilya ranked highest in California and Texas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #2307 | 6 |
| Texas | #2725 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
Ilya is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 25% of US babies named Ilya were girls and 75% were boys.
Ilya is usually pronounced EEL-yuh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with I and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Ilya
A few middle names that flow with Ilya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ilya
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Lists that include Ilya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ilya mean?
Ilya is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “Russian form of Elijah; my God is Yahweh”.
What is the origin of the name Ilya?
Ilya has Russian and Hebrew roots. Ilya is the Russian form of Elijah, from Hebrew Eliyahu, my God is Yahweh.
Is Ilya a popular name?
Not especially. Ilya ranked #3,153 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ilya a boy or girl name?
Ilya is used for both boys and girls: over the last 20 years about 25% of US babies named Ilya were girls and 75% were boys.
How do you pronounce Ilya?
Ilya is usually pronounced EEL-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings