US Popularity Rank: 11607

Origin: Finnish

Meaning: as a joy; light

Tumbling forth with entrancing glee, Ilona is a feminine name of primarily Finnish origin that means "as a joy." Stemming from the Finnish word ilo, "joy," Ilona captures the literal quality of being a pure delight to someone. Some suggest Ilona may be a Hungarian iteration of the Greek Helenē, whose meaning "light" only heightens the name's innate radiance. It seems, that no matter whose eyes alight on dear Ilona, their beaming presence is one impossible to resist.