Ilona

ee-LO-na; ih-lo-na; EE-lo-naw

Hungarian variation of Helen, Finnish

"shining torch; light; joy"

Ilona Origin and Meaning

The name Ilona is a girl's name of Hungarian origin meaning "shining torch; light; joy".

This variant of Helen is used across Europe, in France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, and it's native Hungary. Reminiscent of Elena, Leona, Ilaria, Fiona and Lola, it nevertheless remains a rarity in the US.

In Finland, it's a Top 50 choice, associated with the word ilo meaning "joy".

Ilona Rank in US Top 1000

# 877 in the US

Popularity of the name Ilona

• 1673 Nameberry 2025
• 29 Finland 2023

20 Names Similar to Ilona

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Ilona.

• Edeline
• Else
• Sanna
• Mairead
• Isabetta
• Fianna
• Maire
• Adabelle
• Sandrine
• Mairi
• Muireann
• Aline
• Brighid
• Laure
• Aoibhe
• Sanne
• Cliona
• Celie
• Olena
• Liel

Famous People Named Ilona

• Ilona Andrews American fantasy novelist
• Ilona Massey Hungarian,American actress
• Ilona Zrinyi Croatian,Hungarian countess and national heroine
• Ilona Mitrecey French singer
• Ilona Staller aka Cicciolina Hungarian,Italian adult film actress
• Ilona Otto German voice actress
• Ilona Kalyuvna Korstin Russian basketball player
• Ilona Kabos Hungarian pianist and teacher
• Ilona Csáková Czech pop singer
• Ilona Kovács birth name of Lucy Doraine, Hungarian silent film actress

The name Ilona in Pop Culture

• 'Ilona ' novel by Hans Haube
• Ilona Ritter sensuous store clerk in popular Broadway musical, "She Loves Me"
• Ilona Maher American Rugby Player