UK boy's name
Ilir
An Albanian name meaning "spring" or "glimmer".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Ilir is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Ilir popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4107, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2023, with 4 births.
This profile covers 10 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2002 to 2023. 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.
Ilir is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 10 living people in the UK are called Ilir. 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 2024 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Ilir ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2023, when 4 boys were registered as Ilir.
- • About 10 living people in the UK are estimated to have Ilir as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4107
2023
Births in 2023
4
Latest year
Peak year
2023
4 births
Estimated living
10
2026
Meaning
What does Ilir mean?
The name Ilir is derived from the Albanian language and it is believed to have originated in the region of modern-day Albania and Kosovo. Its origins can be traced back to the late Middle Ages or the early modern period, around the 15th to 17th centuries.
One of the earliest known uses of the name Ilir can be found in the writings of Albanian Renaissance writers and scholars, such as Pjetër Bogdani (1630-1689) and Pjetër Budi (1566-1622), who were instrumental in the development of the Albanian language and literature. It is possible that the name was inspired by the ancient Illyrian tribes that inhabited the Balkan region in ancient times.
The name Ilir has been associated with several notable figures throughout history. One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Ilir Spata (1784-1857), an Albanian writer, scholar, and patriot who played a significant role in the Albanian National Awakening movement during the 19th century.
Another prominent figure was Ilir Qori (1838-1907), an Albanian writer, poet, and translator who contributed greatly to the development of modern Albanian literature. His works were influential in shaping the cultural and linguistic identity of the Albanian people.
In the 20th century, Ilir Mustaqi (1917-1971) was a celebrated Albanian actor and director who left a lasting impact on the Albanian theater scene. His performances and contributions to the arts were widely recognized and celebrated within the country.
Moving into contemporary times, Ilir Meta (born in 1969) is a notable political figure who served as the President of Albania from 2017 to 2022. His political career has spanned several decades and he has held various high-ranking positions within the Albanian government.
Lastly, Ilir Shaqiri (born in 1993) is a professional football player who has represented the Albanian national team and played for several clubs in Europe, including Bayern Munich and Liverpool. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented Albanian footballers of his generation.
These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Ilir throughout history, highlighting its enduring presence and significance within the Albanian cultural and historical context.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Ilir over time
The chart below shows babies named Ilir registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Ilir, the clearest high point is 2023. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2023, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ilir by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Ilir 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 | #4107 | 4 | 1 |
| 2010s | #4632 | 3 | 1 |
| 2000s | #3225 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Ilir
- 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
Ilir: questions and answers
How popular is the name Ilir in the UK right now?
In 2023, Ilir was ranked #4107 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Ilir most popular?
The peak year on record was 2023, with 4 babies registered as Ilir in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Ilir?
An Albanian name meaning "spring" or "glimmer".
How many people are called Ilir in the UK?
A total of 10 babies have been registered as Ilir across the 3 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.