Fun Facts About the Name Ilina
- 198 babies named Ilina: U.S. records list 198 babies given the name Ilina from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ilina Mean?
Ilina is a feminine given name used mainly in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, and the surrounding Balkan region. It belongs to the South Slavic name group built on the prophet Elijah: the male names Ilija, Iliya, and Ilin go back to Greek Elias (Ηλίας), which comes from Hebrew Eliyahu - Eli, meaning "my God," plus yahu, a short form of the divine name. Ilina is one of the feminine forms of that group, so its literal sense is the same as Elijah's: "My God is Yahweh."
Romanian has the feminine names Ilinca and Ileana, which continue Greek Helene (Helen). Helen's own etymology is not settled; it is often explained as "torch," from Greek helene, but the word may be pre-Greek. Where a Romanian name Ilina is used, it is sometimes grouped with these Elena-derived names, but it could equally belong to the Slavic Elijah group, and that derivation is not certain.
Ilina Name History & Origins
The Slavic background of Ilina lies in the cult of the prophet Elijah, which spread through the Balkans with Christianity. Elijah became one of the most widely honored saints in the Orthodox world, and his feast day, July 20, is known in Bulgarian and Macedonian as Ilin den, St. Elijah's Day. From the Balkan form of the prophet's name, Ilija, came a family of personal names - Ilin, Ilina, Ilinka, Iliyana - that are still given in Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The Russian surname Ilyina (Ильина) grows from the same root.
Because the name is uncommon outside the Balkans, it is easily confused with similar-looking names of different origin. Ilona, for example, is a Hungarian and Finnish form of Helen and has nothing to do with Elijah; the resemblance to Ilina should not be read as a shared source.
How Popular is the Name Ilina?
Ilina has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2021. Its best rank was #8,201 in 2021.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #11,299 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2024 | #9,798 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2023 | #16,092 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #8,226 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2021 | #8,201 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 2020 | #10,585 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 2019 | #9,344 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 2018 | #9,407 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2017 | #12,045 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2016 | #13,430 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2015 | #11,253 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2014 | #9,188 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 2013 | #9,838 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 2012 | #10,732 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2011 | #12,605 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 2010 | #14,035 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2009 | #15,970 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2008 | #13,047 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2004 | #13,270 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2003 | #16,698 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2002 | #16,414 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2001 | #16,283 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1999 | #15,292 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #15,015 | 5 | 0.0003% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Ilina Shapes Your Personality and Life?
Your tendency is to finish whatever you start. You like to use the pen or the needle (writing, fashion design etc). You are loving, compassionate, intuitive and humanitarian. Runs of luck, either good or bad, follow you. You are sympathetic, but at times might be touchy and oversensitive. You may have a gift for writing. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Ilina's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ilina's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.