Illyria is a unique and exotic female given name of Latin origin. It is derived from the ancient Roman province of Illyricum, which was located in the western Balkans, encompassing parts of present-day Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
The name Illyria has no specific meaning associated with it, as it is not derived from a word or phrase that carries a particular significance. Instead, its meaning is tied to its historical context. In Roman times, Illyricum was known for being a land of warriors, and the region gave rise to several notable military leaders.
The use of Illyria as a given name is relatively recent. It gained popularity in the late 20th century, likely influenced by its use in popular culture. One prominent example is the character Illyria, a teenage girl with superhuman powers, from the American comic book series "Runaways" created by Brian K. Vaughan.
Despite its lack of inherent meaning, Illyria has been embraced as a unique and distinctive name choice for girls. Its exotic sound and historical ties to a region rich in history make it an attractive option for parents seeking a name that stands out from the crowd.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Illyria has seen varied popularity in the United States over the years, with a total of 143 babies given this name since 2004.
The name's most popular years were 2015 and 2020, each with 10 births. This suggests that there might have been something particularly appealing about these two years to parents choosing the name Illyria for their newborns.
However, it is important to note that even in its peak years, Illyria was not among the most common names chosen by parents. In fact, it appears that fewer than 10 babies were named Illyria each year on average between 2004 and 2023.
While this may suggest that Illyria is a somewhat uncommon name, it's important to remember that even uncommon names can hold special significance for those who choose them. Each of the 143 babies named Illyria since 2004 has added their own unique meaning to this distinctive name.