Fun Facts About the Name Ilka
- 249 babies named Ilka: U.S. records list 249 babies given the name Ilka from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Ilka Mean?
Ilka is a Hungarian feminine name used as a familiar form of Ilona, the Hungarian equivalent of Helen. It goes back through Latin Helena to Greek Helene (Ἑλένη). The Greek name's etymology is disputed: one long-standing explanation connects it with helene, "torch," others relate it to a root for "light," and a further suggestion links it to selene, "moon." The meaning customarily given to Ilka, "light," follows the traditional interpretation of Helen rather than a settled derivation.
Ilka Name History & Origins
Ilka took shape in Hungarian, where pet names are commonly built with the suffix -ka (its front-vowel counterpart is -ke). Adding that suffix to Ilona produced a short, affectionate form. Ilona entered Hungarian from Latin Helena, the name of Saint Helen, mother of the emperor Constantine; devotion to her helped keep Helen-type names in use across medieval Europe.
The name is also found in German-speaking Central Europe. There it is sometimes explained as a pet form of Ilse, a German short form of Elisabeth, though the derivation from Ilona is the more usual account. These two explanations may reflect different regional traditions rather than a single line of descent.
How Popular is the Name Ilka?
Ilka 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 1970. Its best rank was #3,348 in 1970.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | #13,032 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1992 | #14,066 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #10,688 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1989 | #11,345 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1988 | #8,688 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 1987 | #10,331 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #11,279 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1983 | #10,861 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1981 | #7,647 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1980 | #10,958 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1979 | #6,364 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #8,930 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1977 | #8,834 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1976 | #4,994 | 12 | 0.0008% |
| 1975 | #5,681 | 10 | 0.0007% |
| 1974 | #5,930 | 9 | 0.0006% |
| 1973 | #3,389 | 19 | 0.0013% |
| 1972 | #4,895 | 11 | 0.0007% |
| 1971 | #5,700 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #3,348 | 19 | 0.0011% |
| 1969 | #4,273 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1968 | #5,852 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1967 | #3,924 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1966 | #3,816 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1965 | #6,069 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #4,459 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1963 | #5,528 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1962 | #6,942 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #5,454 | 6 | 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 Ilka 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 find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Ilka's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Ilka's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.