Ilan is a modern Hebrew name that means "tree", a word that appears in the Talmud and gives the name a natural, grounded feel. It is common in Israel, where it is often given around Tu BiShvat, the New Year of the Trees, and it is familiar in America through astronaut Ilan Ramon. Ilan has stayed just outside the US top 1000 for decades, with a best rank of 1133 in 2003 and number 1445 in 2025.