I've loved
Ilya too long on a boy to see it for a girl, especially when
Ileana,
Liana,
Lilia,
Ilona, etc. are available.
I don't see the point in risking yet another traditional boy name turning feminine when there are so many, many other options for a girl. Sorry.
ETA: There's an ancient
Roman girl's name,
Aelia. I heard it used for a very minor character in "I,
Claudius." They pronounced it "AY-lee-uh." I've always thought it was very pretty and might work for a science fiction character, if not a real life girl. Good luck!
This message was edited 3/13/2011, 10:17 AM