Etymology and HistoryIlić is a South Slavic patronymic surname meaning "son of Ilija". It is particularly common in Serbia and Croatia, ranking as the seventh most frequent surname in Serbia. The root Ilija itself is the Macedonian, Serbian, and Croatian form of Elijah, a Hebrew name meaning "my God is Yahweh." The ultimate root is the biblical prophet Elijah, known for his fiery miracles and ascent to heaven.The surname Ilić follows the Slavic naming convention of adding -ić to the father's given name to denote lineage. This formation is widespread in the Balkans, representing familial connection. Variants include the Macedonian patronymics Iliev (and its feminine form Ilieva), as well as the English Ellis, itself a medieval form of Elijah. Norwegian Eliassen and English Ellison carry equivalent patronymic meanings.Notable BearersThe surname has been borne by notable individuals across various fields:Danilo Ilić (1891–1915) – Bosnian journalist and co-conspirator in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, an event that triggered World War I.Jovan Ilić (1824–1901) – Serbian poet, father of the renowned poet Vojislav Ilić.Grgo Ilić (1736–1813) – Bosnian Franciscan bishop, known for his religious and educational work.Branko Ilić (born 1983) – Slovenian footballer who played for teams such as Fenerbahçe and Partizan.Additionally, several Aleksandar Ilić (including a Serbian composer and a gymnast), Ivan Ilić (classical pianist), and multiple athletes with the surname appear in various sports.Distribution and Cultural ContextThe name is prevalent in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, reflecting the historical spread of the South Slavic languages. Due to migration, it is also found among diaspora communities, for example in the United States (through notable academic Marija D. Ilić, born 1951, an American electrical engineer).Meaning: Son of IlijaOrigin: South Slavic (Serbian, Croatian)Type: Patronymic surnameUsage Regions: Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro