"my God is Yahweh"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Ilia
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The Georgian form of Elijah with timeless grace
Georgian
Russian
Bulgarian
Greek
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Elegant
International
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Meaning & Origin
"YHWH is God"
Origin: Biblical Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of Ilia
Ilia is the Eastern European and Caucasian form of the biblical name Elijah (Hebrew: Eliyahu), meaning my God is Yahweh or YHWH is God. The prophet Elijah is one of the most venerated figures in the Hebrew Bible, known for his dramatic confrontations with the prophets of Baal and his fiery ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire. As Christianity spread eastward, the name took regional forms: Ilia in Georgia and Bulgaria, Ilya in Russia, and Elia in Italy.
Ilia has been gaining traction in English-speaking countries in the 2020s as parents seek international alternatives to the very popular Elijah. Georgian UFC champion Ilia Topuria's featherweight title win in 2024 introduced the name to many Western sports fans.
In Georgian culture, Ilia holds profound national significance through Ilia Chavchavadze (1837-1907), the beloved poet, writer, and national hero known as Ilia the Righteous, who was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church. The name is deeply embedded in Orthodox Christian tradition across Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
Historical Record
Ilia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1998.
Over 200 babies have been named Ilia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ilia is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #4,353 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Georgian saint Ilia Chavchavadze is considered the father of modern Georgian literature
- UFC featherweight champion Ilia Topuria brought this name to mainstream Western attention in 2024
Ilia in Other Languages
Greek
Ηλίας (Ilias)
Hebrew
אֵלִיָּהוּ (Eliyahu)
Italian
Elia
Russian
Илья (Ilya)
Georgian
ილია
Bulgarian
Илия
Popularity Over Time
#4,353
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ilia
I
I
Ilia Chavchavadze
Writer
1837
Georgian poet, writer, public figure, and national hero, canonized as a Georgian Orthodox saint
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #4,353
- Total SSA Count
- 24
- Cultural Origins
- Georgian Russian Bulgarian Greek
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ili
Ily
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, classic style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Russian heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, sophisticated style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ilia
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Ilia is also used as a girl name, ranked #7951.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ilia
What does the name Ilia mean?
"my God is Yahweh" (from Hebrew). "YHWH is God" (from Biblical Hebrew). Ilia is the Eastern European and Caucasian form of the biblical name Elijah (Hebrew: Eliyahu), meaning my God is Yahweh or YHWH is God. The prophet Elijah is one of the most venerated figures in the Hebrew Bible, known for his dramatic confrontations with the prophets of Baal and his fiery ascent to heaven in a chariot of fire. As Christianity spread eastward, the name took regional forms: Ilia in Georgia and Bulgaria, Ilya in Russia, and Elia in Italy.
What is the origin of the name Ilia?
Ilia has Hebrew, Biblical Hebrew, Georgian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek origins. In Hebrew, it means "my God is Yahweh". In Biblical Hebrew, it means "YHWH is God".
Is Ilia a boy or girl name?
Ilia is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #4353. As a girl name, it is ranked #7951. Ilia is more commonly used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Ilia?
Ilia is currently ranked #4353 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ilia?
Common nicknames for Ilia include Ili and Ily.
What are good middle names for Ilia?
Popular middle name pairings include Ilia James, Ilia Alexander, Ilia Nikolai, Ilia Vincent, Ilia Sebastian, and Ilia George.
What are good sibling names for Ilia?
Names that pair well with Ilia as siblings include Sofia, Natasha, Leo, Anastasia, Dmitri, Vera, and Nikolai.
How many syllables does Ilia have?
Ilia has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Ilia a common or rare name?
Ilia is an uncommon name, ranked #4353 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Ilia?
About the Name Ilia
Ilia is a boy name with Georgian, Russian, Bulgarian, and Greek origins . The name means "my God is Yahweh" in Hebrew .
Is Ilia a boy or girl name? Ilia is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #4,353 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #7,951. Ilia is more commonly used as a boy name.
Ilia is currently ranked #4,353 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ilia has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Ilia include Ili and Ily. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ilia include Ilias, Ilian, Ilijah . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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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