Declining since 2021, #1,777 for girls today.
Popularity of Eila since 1912
Babies named Eila per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 53 |
| 1920s | 126 |
| 1930s | 45 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 5 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 136 |
| 2010s | 751 |
| 2020s | 779 |
Meaning & origin
Eila is a name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, but it remained obscure for most of the 20th century. Its recent rise, peaking in 2020 (rank 1,777 in 2025), aligns with the trend toward short, vowel-ending names like Isla and Mila. The name is currently given to about 1 in every 14,224 newborn girls. While its origin is uncertain, it likely blends the sounds of popular names rather than carrying ancient roots. Top states for Eila include Kansas, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, reflecting a scattered but growing appeal. Since 2021, its trajectory has been falling, suggesting a brief spike that may fade, but its soft sound and simplicity keep it a gentle choice among modern coinages.
Eila is often considered a modern variant of Eileen, which itself derives from the Irish Eibhlín, ultimately from the Norman French Aveline. Alternatively, it may be a feminine form of Elijah, the Hebrew prophet whose name means "my God is Yahweh." The name has gained modest usage in recent decades, particularly in English-speaking countries.
Where Eila is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Eila” around the world
Where Eila lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Eli, Lala
Sibling names for Eila
Names that share Eila's style, for a brother or sister.
