How Many People Are Named Illya?
Complete statistics for the name Illya: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Illya is a Russian variant of the ancient name Elijah, carrying a sense of strength and mystery. There are roughly 359 people living in the US with this name today, meaning about 1 in 919,741 Americans share it. It's especially interesting that the name peaked in 1966 with 89 births, likely fueled by the popularity of TV's Illya Kuryakin.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 5 represents freedom, curiosity, and a love of change. It's associated with adventurous spirits who thrive on variety and aren't afraid to explore new paths in life.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 51All 404 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1966Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Illya Through the Generations
Looking at the generational breakdown, it's clear that Illya has a fascinating story tied to a specific cultural moment. The name peaked dramatically in 1966 with 89 births, almost certainly linked to the spy character Illya Kuryakin from The Man from U.N.C.L.E. That pop culture connection explains why a striking 80% of people named Illya, roughly 322 individuals, fall in the 30-60 age range. Only about 42 bearers are under 30, and around 40 are over 60, showing the name didn't have deep roots before its TV-driven surge and cooled off significantly afterward. With just 404 total births recorded across all US history, this isn't a name you'll encounter often. Globally, there are about 2,783 living bearers, placing it at world rank 138,353. The trend is currently rising, though, which suggests a quiet comeback may be underway. That's not uncommon for names with vintage, pop culture appeal finding fresh appreciation among modern parents looking for something distinctive yet grounded in history.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Illya's Russian roots
📄 About the Name Illya
How Many People Have the Name Illya?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 359 people in the United States currently share the name Illya. That works out to roughly 1 in every 919,741 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Illya a Common or Rare Name?
Illya is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Illya Mean?
Illya means "God is my Lord" and comes from Russian origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 5.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Illya in SSA data, approximately 90% are male and 10% are female.
When Was Illya Most Popular?
The name Illya reached peak popularity in 1966, with 89 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Illya?
Approximately 359 people named Illya live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 404. That works out to roughly 1 in 919,741 Americans.
Is Illya a rare name?
Illya is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 919,741 Americans has this name.
What does the name Illya mean?
Illya means "God is my Lord" and comes from Russian origins.
Is Illya more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 90% of people named Illya are male and 10% are female.
When was Illya most popular?
Illya peaked in 1966 with 89 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.