Ilona

Ilona is a Hungarian form of Helen, ultimately derived from the ancient Greek name Helene, whose root is debated but is often connected to the Greek word for torch or light, or possibly to Hellas, the Greek name for Greece. The name gained wide use across Central and Eastern Europe, becoming especially popular in Hungary and Finland. Notable bearers include Ilona Zrínyi, the Hungarian noblewoman and political figure of the seventeenth century. Related forms include Helena, Elena, Ellen, and the Finnish variant Eliina.