Illinois
Gender-neutral name · Native American
- US rank
- Unranked
- Syllables
- 3
- Peak
- #4,398 in 1920
0 babies were named Illinois in the US in 2025.
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US births per million girls, 1918–2025
US births per million boys, 1923–2025
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Illinois you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- HistoryIllinois first shows up in US birth records in 1918, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 107 years since.
- Best yearIts best year was 1920, when it reached #4,398.
About the name Illinois
Illinois is a gender-neutral name of Native American origin. It has 8 letters and 3 syllables, starting with I and ending in “-ois”. US birth records list Illinois for girls from 1918 to 1920, in 2 of those 3 years. Its best year was 1920, when it ranked #4,398 among girl names. It hasn't been given to 5 or more US babies in a year since 1920, so today it's a genuinely rare choice.
Origin:Native American names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1910s | 2.1 | 465,116 girls |
| 1920s | 5.0 | 200,000 girls |
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1920s | 4.6 | 217,391 boys |
More Native American names
- Unisex name: Kai · sea
- Girl name: Savannah · treeless plain
- Unisex name: Dakota · friend, ally
- Girl name: Winona · firstborn daughter
- Girl name: Savanna · treeless grassland
- Girl name: Kaydence · rhythm
- Boy name: Mikah · who is like God
- Unisex name: Sora · sky
Questions about the name Illinois
What is the origin of the name Illinois?
Illinois has Native American roots in our records. Other Native American names include Kai, Savannah, Dakota.
Is Illinois a boy or girl name?
Both. Illinois is used for boys and girls.
How popular is the name Illinois?
Illinois is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 1920. It peaked at #4,398 in 1920.