Ilka
A girl's name of Hungarian origin with 249 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
a diminutive of the female given name Ilona
Ilka is a girl's baby name of Hungarian origin, a Hungarian diminutive of Ilona (itself the Hungarian form of Helen, from the Greek meaning 'bright' or 'torch'). Ilka is used both in Hungary and in Eastern European Jewish communities as a warm, affectionate form of a name deeply embedded in the Hungarian cultural tradition.
Ilka is a name of domestic warmth and Central European charm — the bright light of Helen compressed into two syllables of pure affection.
EtymologyShow more
Ilka is built from 4 letters and two syllables — a compact structure that favors quick recognition and easy recall. Within the Hungarian naming tradition, this brevity is common among names that have been worn down through centuries of use, shedding syllables along the way.
The interplay of consonants and vowels in Ilka creates its characteristic open, warm quality. Two-syllable names are the most common length in American naming, hitting a natural speech rhythm that works across formal and informal contexts.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Ilka has 29+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1955.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 43 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 111 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 71 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 6 | — |
The Story of Ilka
A Gen X name
Peaking in 1970, Ilka is a Gen X staple. Girls named Ilka are most likely born between 1960 and 1980.
How rare is Ilka?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Ilka is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1955, peaked in the 1970s with 111 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Ilka by the numbers
- Would fill 5 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(29 years, 1955–1998)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 6 | #13032 |
| 1992 | 5 | #14066 |
| 1991 | 7 | #10688 |
| 1989 | 6 | #11345 |
| 1988 | 8 | #8688 |
| 1987 | 6 | #10331 |
| 1985 | 5 | #11279 |
| 1983 | 5 | #10861 |
| 1981 | 8 | #7647 |
| 1980 | 5 | #10958 |
| 1979 | 10 | #6364 |
| 1978 | 6 | #8930 |
| 1977 | 6 | #8834 |
| 1976 | 12 | #4994 |
| 1975 | 10 | #5681 |
| 1974 | 9 | #5930 |
| 1973 | 19 | #3389 |
| 1972 | 11 | #4895 |
| 1971 | 9 | #5700 |
| 1970 | 19 | #3348 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ilka a boy's or girl's name?
When was Ilka most popular?
How popular is the name Ilka?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1955–1998