Ilya

/ɪˈljɑ/ noun

Definition

A male given name, particularly common in Russian and Slavic cultures, equivalent to Elijah in English.

Etymology

From Hebrew 'Eliyahu', meaning 'my God is Yahweh'. The name entered Slavic languages through Christian tradition and became distinctly Russian through various cultural contacts.

Kelly Says

Ilya is the Russian form of Elijah, and both names carry profound religious meaning—'my God is Yahweh'! One of the most famous Ilyas in Russian culture is the folk hero Ilya Muromets, an epic warrior from Slavic mythology.

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