Hilja is a name of Estonian origin, derived from the word 'hiljaks', which means 'quiet' or 'silent'. It's a unisex name, though it's more commonly used for females. Pronunciation may vary slightly depending on language and region, but it's often approximated as 'HEEL-yah' in English. Hilja is also associated with the Finnish word 'hiljaisuus', meaning 'silence'. In Estonian culture, Hilja is recognized as a traditional name with deep-rooted heritage.
"Hilja experienced its peak popularity between 1910 and 1917, with a high of 12 births in 1917. However, it remained consistently popular throughout the period, with at least five births each year except for 1903."