Illyria

Greek place-name and feminine variation of Illyrius

Illyria Origin and Meaning

The name Illyria is a girl's name .

Illyria can trace all its varied associations to the name of an ancient place in the western part of the Balkan peninsula, also called Illyricum. Its inhabitants, conquered by the Romans in 168 BC, were called the Illyrians. Its mythological ancestor was Illyrius, a demigod and son of King Cadmus and the goddess Harmonia.

Illyria also plays a role in literature, both as a place-name and a character name. Shakespeare set his play Twelfth Night in a fictionalized Illyria. More recently, Joss Whedon created a (female) character named Illyria, a powerful "Old One", for his show Angel. And there's a (male) Illyrio in Game of Thrones.

Although Illyria sounds like the Italian Ilaria, which means cheerful, it has a different root.

Illyria Popularity

• 1929 Nameberry 2023