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Ilona

Girl name · 32 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ilona: 32 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 1984.

Ilona is a name of Hungarian origin, derived from the Greek Helenē, meaning “torch” or “moon”—a radiant choice with ancient roots. It gained fame through Ilona Staller, better known as Cicciolina, the Italian-born Hungarian porn star and politician who served in the Italian Parliament, and Ilona Massey, a Hungarian-American actress and singer who starred in 1940s Hollywood musicals. The name shares its etymological lineage with Helen of Troy, lending it a classical, almost legendary quality. As a variant of Helen, Ilona is particularly popular in Hungary, Finland, and Estonia, and it occasionally appears in Scotland through cultural exchange, offering a melodic, international alternative to the more common Elena or Helena.

Girl 9 of 52 years

Peak year
19844 babies
Latest (2004)
#6633 babies
Total births
32since 1978
5-year trend
▲ 17%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 1984 · 4
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).