Ilias is the modern Greek form of Elias, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Elijah (אֱלִיָּהוּ, Eliyyahu), meaning "my God is Yahweh." The name is deeply rooted in the biblical tradition, as Elijah was a prominent prophet in the 9th century BC who challenged the worship of Ba'al and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire, as recounted in the Books of Kings.