From the UNCLE Agents Group On Facebook...

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

TRIVIA:
The correct Russian spelling of Illya's name should be "Ilya," with only one L. But series creator Sam Rolfe chose the name as an homage to Illya, the Greek character in Never on Sunday, and retained the Greek spelling. "Kuryakin" came from the Greek word for Sunday, "Kyriaki."

Comments

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

There's also the Russian name of Kurakin....Prince Alexander Borisovich Kurakin, sometimes spelled Kourakine was a Russian statesman and diplomat, a member of the State Council , who was ranked Actual Privy Counsellor 1st Class

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUzE3EQ8ehI

Another interesting tidbit.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

He is a trivia magnet :D

[maria-priest.livejournal.com]

I found IK's name spelled with 2 L's on a site listing Ukrainian names for males.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

I imagine the Russians and Ukranians can mix up spellings much like we do. Parents like to be imaginative ;)