Thoughts on the name ILIA?

Girl Names
1

What do you think of the name [name]ILIA[/name] for a girl (not short for [name]Iliana[/name], simply [name]Ilia[/name])? I understand it is technically a boys name (Russian form of [name]Elijah[/name], I believe), but what do you think of when you hear/say the name? Does it sound too Russian to use in the US? Does the “ill” sound stick out and bother you? [name]Just[/name] curious what the feedback would be. It is one of many nickname possibilities we are considering, but I am not sure how I feel about it.

And how would you pronounce it? I am thinking “ILL-ee-uh”, but maybe that is wrong. But “eye-lee-uh” doesn’t sound right to me. Or is it just “ILL-yuh”? :?

2

The only [name]Ilya[/name] I know is a Russian guy and that’s who I think of when I hear the name, so I’m afraid I’m not much help. I suppose with the “[name]Leah[/name]” ending it could sound feminine to most people, but I do prefer it for a boy.

[name]Alexis[/name]

3

A guy I work with has a daughter named Iyla, (pronounced Eye-Lah). I believe it’s [name]Indian[/name] for earth (though he’s not [name]Indian[/name]).

4

My first thought was ilium. [name]Lilia[/name] might be better.