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Ilinca

Girl name · 4 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Ilinca: 4 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2021.

Ilinca is the Romanian diminutive of Elena, itself a form of the Greek Helenē, meaning “light” or “torch,” and carrying the same radiant symbolism as its English equivalent, Helen. The name gained international visibility through Romanian singer Ilinca Băcilă, who represented her country at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the yodel-infused “Yodel It!”. Ilinca Goia, a respected Romanian actress, also brings the name into the spotlight. While no settlement directly bears the name Ilinca, its root Helen appears in place names worldwide, from Saint Helena to Helena, Montana. In Scotland, Ilinca remains a relatively uncommon but elegant choice, reflecting the country’s growing multicultural diversity and the enduring appeal of light-themed names across cultures.