UK boy's name
Iliyas
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "lofty, noble, or exalted".
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.
Iliyas is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Iliyas popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3254, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2013, with 6 births.
This profile covers 58 England and Wales registrations across 13 recorded years from 2000 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 58 living people in the UK are called Iliyas. 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
- • Iliyas ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2013, when 6 boys were registered as Iliyas.
- • About 58 living people in the UK are estimated to have Iliyas as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3254
2024
Births in 2024
6
Latest year
Peak year
2013
6 births
Estimated living
58
2026
Meaning
What does Iliyas mean?
The name Iliyas has its roots in the Arabic language, originating from the Biblical name Elijah. It is derived from the Hebrew words "Eli," meaning "my God," and "Yahweh," the name of God. This name has been in use for centuries and holds significant historical and religious significance.
Iliyas is mentioned in the Quran, the holy book of Islam, as one of the prophets sent by God. In the Islamic tradition, Iliyas is highly revered and is often associated with miracles and spiritual guidance. The name is also found in various ancient texts, including the Bible, where Elijah is portrayed as a powerful prophet who performed miracles and challenged the worship of false gods.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Iliyas can be traced back to the 9th century BCE, when the prophet Elijah lived in ancient Israel. He is remembered for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and for being taken up to heaven in a whirlwind, as described in the Book of Kings.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Iliyas. One such figure is Iliyas Petrovych Kulyk (1897-1937), a Ukrainian writer and playwright known for his works that explored the lives of the working class and peasantry during the early 20th century.
Another prominent bearer of the name is Iliyas Qadri (1950-2008), a Pakistani Sufi scholar and spiritual leader who played a significant role in the revival of Sufi traditions in South Asia. His teachings and writings have had a profound impact on the understanding of Sufism in the region.
Iliyas Khuri (1923-2015), a renowned Lebanese philosopher and writer, is also noteworthy. He made significant contributions to the fields of existentialism and phenomenology and was widely respected for his intellectual prowess.
In the realm of sports, Iliyas Yurdakul (born 1978) is a Turkish wrestler who has represented Turkey in multiple Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Iliyas Siddique (1936-2019) was a Pakistani painter and calligrapher who gained international recognition for his intricate and vibrant artworks that blended traditional Islamic calligraphy with modern artistic techniques.
The name Iliyas has a rich history and is deeply rooted in religious and cultural traditions. Its popularity has endured through the ages, with many notable individuals bearing this name and leaving their mark on various fields throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Iliyas over time
The chart below shows babies named Iliyas registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2000 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 Iliyas, the clearest high point is 2013. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 6 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Iliyas by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Iliyas 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 | #3884 | 22 | 5 |
| 2010s | #3661 | 33 | 7 |
| 2000s | #3036 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Iliyas
- 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
Iliyas: questions and answers
How popular is the name Iliyas in the UK right now?
In 2024, Iliyas was ranked #3254 for boys in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.
When was Iliyas most popular?
The peak year on record was 2013, with 6 babies registered as Iliyas in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Iliyas?
A masculine name of Arabic origin meaning "lofty, noble, or exalted".
How many people are called Iliyas in the UK?
A total of 58 babies have been registered as Iliyas across the 13 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.