Cheila

Meaning & origin

Cheila is a rare given name in the United States, first recorded in Social Security data in 1978. It has never broken into the top 1000, and its one-in-N ratio is effectively too low to calculate, indicating it remains a highly uncommon choice. The name reached its peak year of usage in 2002, but even then it was used only a handful of times nationally. Its trajectory has been stable over recent decades, with no significant surge or decline. Cheila is most frequently encountered as a variant of the Irish name Sheila, itself an Anglicization of Síle, which traces back to the Latin Caecilia. While it also appears in Portuguese and Spanish speaking communities, its usage in the U.S. is minimal and not concentrated in any particular state. Parents choosing Cheila today are selecting a name that is distinct yet recognizable, with roots in multiple cultures.

Cheila is a spelling variant of Sheila, the Anglicized form of the Irish name Síle, itself a form of Cecilia from the Latin Caecilia, meaning 'blind'. It also appears as a Portuguese and Spanish variant of the same name. The name has been used in Ireland since the Middle Ages and spread to other cultures through migration and colonial influence.