Ilka is a rare and unique female given name of German origin. It is derived from the male name Emil, which means "rival" or "to excel". The name Ilka is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as a pet form of Amelia or Amelia's variant forms such as Emily or Emilie.
While the name Ilka may not be as well-known as its variants, it has been used throughout history. In Germany, for example, Ilka was a popular name in the early 20th century, with several famous individuals bearing this name. One notable figure is Ilka Grüning, a German actress who was active during the Weimar Republic era.
The name Ilka has also appeared in literature and pop culture. For instance, it is the name of a character in the German novel "Effi Briest" by Theodor Fontane, and more recently, it was used as a character name in the German television series "Babylon Berlin".
Despite its rarity, Ilka remains a charming and distinctive name with a strong historical background. Its meaning, "to excel," suggests that those named Ilka may be individuals who strive for excellence and stand out from the crowd.
Based on the statistics provided, the name Ilka experienced a period of popularity and usage in the United States from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s. The highest number of births with the name Ilka occurred in 1970, with a total of 19 births that year.
However, after this peak, the usage of the name began to decline steadily throughout the rest of the 1970s and into the 1980s. From 1974 onwards, the number of annual births with the name Ilka consistently fell below double digits, indicating a decrease in popularity for the name during this time period.
Despite this decline, there were still occasional years where the usage of the name saw a slight increase, such as in 1981 and 1988. Overall, though, the trend showed a steady decrease in the usage of the name Ilka over time.
In total, according to the statistics provided, there have been 249 births with the name Ilka in the United States since 1955. While this number may not be exceptionally high compared to other names, it still indicates that the name Ilka has had some historical usage and recognition in the country.