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© 2026 Namesake · namesake.baby

Data: Social Security Administration, US births 1880–2024

Ilay — Meaning, Origin & Popularity | Namesake
All names
Ilario|Ilaya
Irish◈ Unisex · 54% boy · 46% girl↑↑ Surging

◈= unisex (gender-neutral)

Ilay

◈

EYE-lay · 2 syllables

Share Ilay:
Compare with another name
Boy
#4463
↑↑ Surging
Boy
#4463
Popularity score: 15
↑↑ Surging
Peak
#4463 in 2024
5yr
+2206 ranks
Velocity
+2206
Birth frequency
6.4 per 1,000,000 births
Girl
#12622
Popularity score: 5
→ Stable
Peak
#12622 in 2024
5yr
—
Velocity
—
Birth frequency
1.9 per 1,000,000 births

Popularity Over Time

↑ Higher on this chart = more popular · ↓ Lower = less popular

Average0255075100Popularity score (0–100)20202024

Rank #4463 · Rising since 2020

How Popular Is This Name?

Bars show the range of popularity for each group. The dot shows where this name sits. Further right = more popular.

All US boy names
Top 200 boy names
Irish boy names
Ilay

Popularity score: 15  ·  SSA Rank: #4463

Rare  ·  Distinctive  ·  Familiar  ·  Common  ·  Very Common

Popularity score: 0 = least popular, 100 = most popular. Based on SSA rank.

Namesake Score
84
Higher than 84% of names
Combines uniqueness, trend, meaning, feasibility, and search interest.
Trend
↑↑ Surging
+2206 ranks
Based on SSA rank velocity
Feasibility
Limited
.com taken · — · clear
Low friction, available
Uniqueness
55
9 per 10,000 births
Won't be common in class

Ilay is surging in popularity right now.

Meaning Depth37% of score
60
Name Trend28% of score
88
Uniqueness20% of score
55
Feasibility15% of score
50

Scores are percentile-ranked across 43,000+ names.

Name DNA
IrishCelticGaelicUnisexNature2-syllableRareModern UsageBrightEarthy
Character
creative visiongentle strengthintuitive natureartistic soulquiet confidence
STRONG
High confidence

Ilay is an Irish unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #4463 in the US in 2024.

Trend:↑↑ Surging · +2206 ranks
Feasibility:.com taken · — · clear
Popularity:#4463 · very rare
Ilay at a Glance
Meaning:Descendant of Ilay; possibly related to Old Irish elements meaning 'bright' or 'shining.' A rare Irish name with roots in Gaelic naming traditions.
Language root:Old Irish · Gaelic
Peak rank:#4463 in 2024
5yr change:+2206 ranks
Sex usage:Boy #4463 · Girl #12622
Notable bearers

No notable bearers on record.

Similar Sound
Riley◈AileyIslayMileyKylie◈Rileigh
Similar Style
Rowan◈Finn◈Soren◈LeviCianStellan◈
Works well with
Wren◈IvyHazelRowan◈Beckett◈FionaElowenCaspian◈
You Might Also Like
Rowan◈
Celtic · #71
→ Stable
Finn◈
Irish · #198
→ Stable
Soren◈
Scandinavian · #571
→ Stable
Levi
Hebrew · #12
→ Stable
Cian
Irish · #1525
↓ Declining
Stellan◈
Scandinavian · #1441
↑ Rising
Source: Social Security Administration baby names data. Popularity data reflects US births. Feasibility data updated monthly.
Name Intelligence
Ilay · Overview
Summary

Ilay is an Irish unisex name with upward momentum in SSA rankings. It ranked #4463 in the US in 2024.

Search interest: 0/100 → Stable

Strengths
Strong fundamentals
Ilay scores 84/100 on the Namesake scale — meaning, origin, and trend all contribute positively.
Surging fast
Rank has moved 2206 positions in the last year. Exceptional momentum.
Works for any sex
54% boy · 46% girl. A genuinely unisex name is rare at this level of distinctiveness.
Nature character
Ilay carries a grounded, cool quality that makes it distinctive without being invented.
Considerations
Rising very fast
Ilay is surging. If the trend continues, it may become significantly more common within 2-3 years.
Domain taken
ilay.com is not available. Alternative TLDs may work.
Explore

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Data source:Social Security Administration
Coverage:US births 1879–2024
Updated:January 2025
ISR:Refreshes monthly
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