Iljich

Iljich is a transliteration variant of a Slavic name used as a surname or, less commonly, as a given name. It derives from the Russian patronymic Ильич (Ilyich), which means “son of Ilya.” Variants in Latin-script languages include Ilyich, Ilich, Illich, and related forms such as Iljich, reflecting different transliteration traditions from Cyrillic.

Etymology and meaning: The root Ilya corresponds to Elijah, a traditional given name in many Slavic and Jewish communities. The suffix -ich is a patronymic marker meaning “son of,” so Iljich effectively designates lineage from someone named Ilya. In some cases, Iljich is used as a surname rather than a literal patronymic in modern naming practices.

Usage and distribution: Iljich is relatively uncommon as a standalone given name today and is more often encountered as a surname or historical-patronymic form in records. In English-language contexts, the same name appears in several variant spellings, including Ilyich, Ilich, and Illich, depending on transliteration choices and regional conventions. The spelling Iljich can reflect particular language traditions that render the Cyrillic characters with the lj digraph.

Notable associations: The best-known cognate is Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, whose middle name (patronymic) is Ilyich; this illustrates the common Slavic practice of forming patronymics from the father’s given name. While Lenin’s name uses other transliterations, Iljich remains one of the variant forms related to the same root.

See also: Ilyich, Ilich, Illich, Ilia, Elijah.