UK boy's name
Ilija
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "my God is Yahweh".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ilija is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ilija popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5119, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1999, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Ilija. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ilija ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 1999, when 3 boys were registered as Ilija.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ilija as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5119
2024
Births in 2024
3
Latest year
Peak year
1999
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Ilija mean?
The name Ilija originates from the Greek language and is derived from the Hebrew name Eliyahu, meaning "My God is Yahweh." It is the Slavic form of the name Elijah, which has its roots in the biblical figure Elijah, a prominent prophet in the Hebrew Bible and the Quran.
The earliest recorded instance of the name Ilija can be traced back to the Old Testament, where Elijah is portrayed as a courageous and faithful prophet who performed miracles and challenged the worship of Baal. The name gained significant religious and cultural significance within the Abrahamic faiths, particularly in Christianity and Islam.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Ilija. One of the most famous was Ilija Garašanin (1812-1874), a Serbian politician and the principal creator of the "Načertanije," a highly influential political manifesto that outlined Serbian nationalist aims in the Balkans.
Another prominent individual was Ilija Muromets (circa 1142-1203), a legendary Russian bogatyr (heroic warrior) celebrated in numerous epic byliny (oral folk tales) for his bravery, strength, and devotion to protecting the Russian lands.
In the 20th century, Ilija Petković (1945-2020) was a Serbian actor and playwright known for his performances in various films and television series, as well as his contributions to the theater.
Ilija Bozoljac (1783-1853) was a Serbian writer, scholar, and one of the first modern Serbian philologists, who played a significant role in the development of the modern Serbian literary language.
Ilija Tromović (1924-2001) was a Montenegrin Orthodox monk and one of the most respected spiritual leaders in Montenegro, renowned for his teachings and his dedication to preserving the country's cultural heritage.
The name Ilija has endured through various cultures and historical periods, carrying with it the rich symbolism and significance associated with the biblical prophet Elijah. Its widespread use across different regions and religions serves as a testament to the name's enduring legacy and cultural resonance.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ilija over time
The chart below shows babies named Ilija registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ilija, the clearest high point is 1999. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ilija by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ilija was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5119 | 3 | 1 |
| 1990s | #2943 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ilija
- Isaac 49,129
- Ibrahim 14,115
- Ismail 4,679
- Isaiah 4,629
- Idris 3,810
- Ivan 3,146
- Isa 2,943
- Ian 2,805
- Ilyas 2,552
- Ieuan 2,515
- Ibraheem 2,384
- Ioan 2,295
FAQ
Ilija: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ilija in the UK right now?
In 2024, Ilija was ranked #5119 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Ilija most popular?
The peak year on record was 1999, with 3 babies registered as Ilija in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ilija?
A masculine name of Hebrew origin meaning "my God is Yahweh".
How many people are called Ilija in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Ilija across the 2 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.