Holding steady, #5,722 for girls today.
Popularity of Anila since 1979
Babies named Anila per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 21 |
| 1990s | 62 |
| 2000s | 146 |
| 2010s | 236 |
| 2020s | 122 |
Meaning & origin
Anila first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1979 and has remained a relatively rare choice ever since. Its peak popularity came in 2010, but even then it never ranked in the top 1,000. As of 2025, the name ranks 5,722 with an incidence of 1 in 76,537 births. The trajectory suggests a stable presence among parents seeking a name with deep Sanskrit roots and spiritual significance. Anila's etymology connects it to the wind, a universal element that resonates across cultures, though its use remains concentrated among families with South Asian heritage.
Anila comes from Sanskrit अनिल (anila) meaning 'wind' or 'air'. In Hindu mythology, Anila is one of the eight Vasus, deities attendant to Indra, and is considered the god of wind. The name has been used in India for centuries, appearing in ancient texts such as the Rigveda.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ani, Nila, Anu
Variants: Anil
Sibling names for Anila
Names that share Anila's style, for a brother or sister.
