Ilhan is a unisex name of Turkish origin, derived from the Arabic word 'ilaah', which means 'God'. It's predominantly used as a male name but can also be given to females. In Turkey, it's one of the top 50 names for both boys and girls. Internationally, Ilhan is popular among Muslim communities due to its religious significance. The name gained global recognition when Ilhan Omar became the first Somali-American woman elected to the U.S. Congress in 2018.
The name Ilhan experienced a significant rise in popularity over the past two decades, with a notable spike in recent years. From 2002 to 2023, there were a total of 147 babies named Ilhan, with a particular surge since 2015, indicating that this name has gained considerable traction among parents in recent times.