Fun Facts About the Name Illana
- 169 babies named Illana: U.S. records list 169 babies given the name Illana from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Illana Mean?
Illana is used mainly as a spelling variant of Ilana, a Hebrew name meaning "tree." It comes from the Hebrew noun אילן (ilan), "tree," with the feminine ending -a; the same word appears as אילנא (ilana) in Aramaic. The name's meaning is literal: it is the feminine form of the ordinary word for a tree, not a metaphor added later.
A second explanation treats Illana as a form of Elana or Elena, from the Greek name Helena, which is traditionally explained as "torch" or "light," though the origin of Helena is itself debated. That derivation belongs to the Greek name and its relatives; it applies to Illana only if the spelling is taken as an English form of Elena rather than of Ilana. Because the two names sound alike and are spelled in overlapping ways, the two derivations are sometimes blended, and it is not always possible to tell which one a given family intended.
Illana Name History & Origins
Hebrew אילן (ilan), "tree," and its Aramaic counterpart אילנא are old words; they appear in the Aramaic sections of the book of Daniel and are common in rabbinic Hebrew and Aramaic. The feminine personal name Ilana is formed from that noun and belongs to the broad Hebrew practice of turning everyday words, especially plants and natural features, into personal names. It is a familiar name in Israel and is also used by Jewish families in other countries.
The spelling Illana is one of several English renderings of the name, alongside Ilana, Elana, and Alana. Doubling the l is an English spelling choice and does not change the pronunciation. Elana is also used as a Hebrew variant of Ilana, while the similar-sounding Elena belongs to the Greek Helena tradition and Alana to the masculine Alan, a name of uncertain origin. Because these names overlap in sound and spelling, Illana is sometimes chosen for the Hebrew "tree" meaning and sometimes as a form of one of the others.
How Popular is the Name Illana?
Illana 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 2007. Its best rank was #6,218 in 1971.
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 | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | #14,151 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2016 | #17,236 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2014 | #17,549 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2013 | #17,586 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2012 | #17,866 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2011 | #15,547 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2009 | #10,969 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 2008 | #16,154 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2007 | #8,703 | 14 | 0.0007% |
| 2006 | #14,133 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2005 | #13,538 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2003 | #12,930 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2002 | #10,540 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 2001 | #14,173 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 2000 | #15,960 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1998 | #13,033 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1997 | #11,272 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1996 | #14,333 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1991 | #12,057 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1985 | #8,670 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1978 | #10,324 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1975 | #8,356 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1973 | #7,776 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #6,218 | 8 | 0.0005% |
| 1970 | #8,454 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #7,160 | 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.
Most Popular Girl Names That Start with I
How the Name Illana 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.
Dependable, very down-to-earth and well grounded, you are always looking for meaningful work, a career where you can take pride in your work and do the best job you are capable of. Your prime desire is to build protected and secure environment at home and at work. You can be very persuasive in achieving goals and gaining objectives. You can be very detailed and well-organized and possess great organizational skills. At times you may appear too stubborn and overly critical to others, but your practical approach to life and productivity makes you one of the most beneficent members of community.
✦ Illana's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Illana's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.