Ilham

♂ Boy

Pronounced il-HAHM /ɪlˈhɑm/Medium

Meaning: Ilham is an Arabic word meaning 'inspiration'. In religious usage it carries the specific sense of inspiration given by God - a prompting placed in the heart. It is used as a given name across the Arab world, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Malaysia, for boys and, in some countries, for girls.Medium

In 30 seconds: Ilham is Arabic for 'inspiration' - in religious usage, inspiration from God (said 'il-HAHM').

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Origin MediumArabic

MeaningIlham is an Arabic word meaning 'inspiration'. In religious usage it carries the specific sense of inspiration given by God - a prompting placed in the heart. It is used as a given name across the Arab world, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Indonesia and Malaysia, for boys and, in some countries, for girls.

U.S. rank (2023)#9225 ↘ Falling

2023 U.S. births8 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 22

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ilham is the Arabic word for 'inspiration', and in religious usage it means specifically inspiration from God - something set in the heart rather than reasoned out. As a given name it travels widely: across the Arab world, in Turkey and Azerbaijan, and in Indonesia and Malaysia. It is used for boys and, in several countries, for girls. In the U.S. it is rare, and we handle its religious sense respectfully (said 'il-HAHM').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare here, widely used across the Muslim world.

Did you know? Ilham is not just any inspiration: in Islamic usage it means a prompting placed in the heart by God. The name is used from Morocco to Malaysia (said 'il-HAHM').

Overall data confidence 65%

References - Ilham — Arabic ilham 'inspiration'; religious sense of divine inspiration; used across the Muslim world.

Variations

IlhaamElhamIlhem

Nicknames

IloHamIli

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ilham mean?

Ilham is Arabic for 'inspiration' - in religious usage, inspiration given by God.

How do you pronounce Ilham?

It's said il-HAHM /ɪlˈhɑm/ - two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ilham a boy or girl name?

Here Ilham is used as a boy's name; in several countries it is also given to girls.

How popular is Ilham?

Ilham is very rare for boys in the U.S., though it is widely used across the Muslim world.