Originating from Ukrainian and Russian roots, the given name Illia is derived from the Greek 'Hilarios', meaning 'cheerful' or 'happy'. Often spelled as Ilja in other Slavic languages, it is composed of two elements: 'hil-' relating to laughter, joy, or humor; and '-lia' which can be translated as 'gift from God'. Illia is traditionally a boy's name but has also been used for girls. It gained popularity among Ukrainian and Russian-speaking communities throughout the 20th century.
"Illia saw an increase in popularity recently, with six births each in both 2021 and 2023, compared to just five births in 1980."