Holding steady, #6,325 for girls today.
Popularity of Hila since 1884
Babies named Hila per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2022, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Hila's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 11 |
| 1890s | 47 |
| 1900s | 54 |
| 1910s | 85 |
| 1920s | 92 |
| 1930s | 57 |
| 1940s | 33 |
| 1950s | 12 |
| 1960s | 11 |
| 1970s | 17 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 49 |
| 2000s | 86 |
| 2010s | 114 |
| 2020s | 110 |
Meaning & origin
Hila is a Hebrew name meaning 'halo' or 'aura of light,' a poetic and luminous choice with a gentle sound. In U.S. records, it first appeared in 1884 and reached its peak rank of 6,325 in 2025, with approximately 1 in 89,293 newborn girls receiving the name that year. Its trajectory has remained stable, with no significant revival or decline. Hila was most commonly recorded in the 1900s decade, though it has never been widely used and has no strong association with any particular state. The name offers a subtle spiritual resonance without overt religious overtones, appealing to parents seeking a short, melodic name with a positive meaning.
Hila derives from the Hebrew word 'hilah' (הִילָה), meaning 'halo' or 'aura of light.' It entered limited use among Jewish communities in the 19th century, often as a poetic name. It gained modest popularity in Israel and among Jewish diaspora families, but remains rare in English-speaking countries.
“Hila” around the world
Where Hila lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Hilah
Sibling names for Hila
Names that share Hila's style, for a brother or sister.
