"tree, oak tree"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Ilana
Pronunciation: [ ihl-AHN-uh ]
Does Ilana flow with your last name?
Rooted in Hebrew tradition, strong as an oak
Israeli
Jewish
American
Elegant
Spiritual
Classic
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Ilana
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Ilana
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"feminine form of Ilan (tree)"
Origin: Modern Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Ilana
See all →What the Ilana report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Ilana the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Ilana
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Ilana head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Ilana actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Ilana
Ilana comes directly from the Hebrew word 'ilan' (אילן), meaning 'tree' — specifically an oak or large deciduous tree. In Hebrew, trees hold deep symbolic significance, representing strength, longevity, shelter, and rootedness in the land. Ilana is simply the feminine form of the male name Ilan, and both names are beloved in modern Israel where connection to the land is culturally central.
Ilana has been a consistent favorite in Israel and among Jewish communities worldwide since the mid-20th century. In the United States, it gained a small boost from the character Ilana Wexler on the comedy series 'Broad City' (2014–2019), played by co-creator Ilana Glazer.
In Jewish tradition, trees carry profound meaning — the Torah is called the 'Tree of Life' (Etz Chaim), and Tu BiShvat (the New Year for Trees) is a beloved holiday. Naming a daughter Ilana connects her symbolically to this tradition of rootedness and flourishing.
Historical Record
Ilana first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 5,592 babies have been named Ilana in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ilana is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #2,468 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The related male name Ilan is among the most popular names in Israel
- Ilana Glazer, co-creator of 'Broad City,' brought the name mainstream attention in the 2010s
- In Hebrew, 'ilan' appears in the Talmud as a metaphor for a scholar who spreads knowledge like branches
Ilana in Other Languages
Arabic
إيلانا
French
Ilana
Hebrew
אִילָנָה
Russian
Илана
Spanish
Ilana
Popularity Over Time
#2,468
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ilana
I
Ilana Glazer
Entertainer
1987
American comedian, actress, and writer, co-creator and star of Comedy Central's 'Broad City'
I
Ilana Ramon
Engineer
1977
Israeli Air Force colonel and wife of astronaut Ilan Ramon; became an ambassador for space education after the Columbia ...
Israeli Air Force colonel and wife of astronaut Ilan Ramon; became an ambassador for space education after the Columbia disaster
I
Ilana Wexler Fictional
Other
Main character of the TV series 'Broad City,' a vivacious New Yorker played by Ilana Glazer
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #2,468
- Total SSA Count
- 73
- Cultural Origins
- Israeli Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ilani
Lana
Lani
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, American heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ilana
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Ilana fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Ilana →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Ilana with...
Same Origin Names (Israeli)
See all Israeli names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Ilana
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Ilana and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Ilana sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Anny
Girl
Latin origin
"gracious gift"
#2,588 in US
Jean
Girl
Hebrew via French origin
"God is gracious"
#2,403 in US
Daila
Girl
Lithuanian/Baltic origin
"beautiful, fine, delicate"
#2,311 in US
Mavery
Girl
Old English origin
"ruler of elves (Avery root)"
#2,599 in US
Avigail
Girl
Hebrew origin
"father's joy, source of joy"
#2,521 in US
Leiana
Girl
Hawaiian (lei + lani) origin
"heavenly flower garland"
#2,572 in US
Alyana
Girl
Old Irish origin
"harmony, fair one"
#2,444 in US
Golda
Girl
Yiddish/German origin
"gold"
#2,652 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Ilana's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ilana
What does the name Ilana mean?
"tree, oak tree" (from Hebrew). "feminine form of Ilan (tree)" (from Modern Hebrew). Ilana comes directly from the Hebrew word 'ilan' (אילן), meaning 'tree' — specifically an oak or large deciduous tree. In Hebrew, trees hold deep symbolic significance, representing strength, longevity, shelter, and rootedness in the land. Ilana is simply the feminine form of the male name Ilan, and both names are beloved in modern Israel where connection to the land is culturally central.
What is the origin of the name Ilana?
Ilana has Hebrew, Modern Hebrew, Israeli, Jewish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "tree, oak tree". In Modern Hebrew, it means "feminine form of Ilan (tree)".
Is Ilana a boy or girl name?
Ilana is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ilana?
Ilana is pronounced ihl-AHN-uh.
How popular is the name Ilana?
Ilana is currently ranked #2468 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ilana?
Common nicknames for Ilana include Ilani, Lana, and Lani.
What are good middle names for Ilana?
Popular middle name pairings include Ilana Ruth, Ilana Miriam, Ilana Sophie, Ilana Grace, Ilana Rose, Ilana Claire, and Ilana Beth.
What are good sibling names for Ilana?
Names that pair well with Ilana as siblings include Noam, Ariel, Yael, Micah, Tamar, Liora, and Eitan.
How many syllables does Ilana have?
Ilana has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ilana a common or rare name?
Ilana is an uncommon name, ranked #2468 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Ilana?
Are there other spellings for Ilana?
Related spellings include Ilani.
About the Name Ilana
Ilana is a girl name with Israeli, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "tree, oak tree" in Hebrew .
Ilana is currently ranked #2,468 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ilana has 3 syllables and is pronounced ihl-AHN-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ilana include Ilani, Lana, and Lani. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ilana include Ilani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
I
Names Starting with I
More girl names like Ilana
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis