Ilaria

Meaning of Ilaria

Ilaria is a feminine given name of Italian origin, etymologically rooted in the Latin adjective hilaris, “cheerful,” and represents the Italian feminine counterpart to the classical name Hilarius—thus sharing its semantic foundation with English names such as Hilary and Hilaria. Within Italian naming conventions, it belongs to the category of virtue-inspired appellations, evoking qualities of joyfulness and vivacity that have underpinned its sustained, if measured, use in its native context. In anglophone settings, its adoption remains modest: U.S. Social Security Administration data indicate annual occurrences between 5 and 57 newborns since 1980, with a corresponding rank oscillating from a high of 780 to a low near 975; in 2024, thirty-seven American infants were named Ilaria, placing it at 913th in popularity. This pattern of intermittent yet persistent appearance suggests that Ilaria appeals to parents seeking a name that combines classical resonance, neutral warmth, and a degree of contemporary distinctiveness.