Rising since 1987, #186 for girls today.
Popularity of Lila since 1880
Babies named Lila per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 691 |
| 1890s | 1,673 |
| 1900s | 2,337 |
| 1910s | 5,567 |
| 1920s | 10,304 |
| 1930s | 7,840 |
| 1940s | 4,408 |
| 1950s | 3,569 |
| 1960s | 1,905 |
| 1970s | 1,234 |
| 1980s | 1,255 |
| 1990s | 1,560 |
| 2000s | 9,036 |
| 2010s | 16,568 |
| 2020s | 8,546 |
Meaning & origin
Lila has a quiet yet steady presence in American baby names. First recorded in 1880, it saw a peak in 2010 and has been rising in popularity since 1987. As of 2025, it ranks 186th nationally, with roughly 1 in every 962 girls receiving the name. Its appeal crosses cultural lines, drawing from both Arabic and Sanskrit roots. The name is most popular in the District of Columbia, Vermont, and Rhode Island, reflecting a preference in more urban and coastal areas. While not among the top 100, Lila remains a familiar yet distinctive choice, helped by its soft sound and international flair. Its upward trajectory since 1987 suggests it will continue to gain ground without reaching the saturation of trendier names.
Lila has multiple origins. In Arabic, it derives from laylah, meaning 'night.' In Sanskrit, it means 'play' or 'amusement' and is a concept in Hindu philosophy. It has also been used as a diminutive of names like Delilah (Hebrew) and Lolita (Spanish). The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the 20th century.
Where Lila is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Lila” around the world
Where Lila lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#79
in 2024
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
New Zealand
28
babies in 2025
Quebec
30
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Lila
Names that share Lila's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Ava, Isla, Zara, Elise, Ariella, Dora, India, Lana, Leila, Miley, Nyla, Aila, Alba, Amia, Anika, Ariah, Ariya, Asha, Avaya, Ayla, Ayleen, Bria, Caia, Caila, Cami, Celina, Cianna, Dalia, Dani, Dania, Elana, Eliora, Etta, Flor, Iva, Jaide, Kali, Kalli, Kamya, Karma, Kaya, Kianna, Kya, Kylah, Kyra, Maia, Malaya, Maleah, Mari, Miah, Mina, My, Myla, Nala, Noa, Norah, Rani, Raya, Rya, Samara, Sarina, Shayna, Suri, Taliah, Twyla, Vada, Veda, Yara, Yasmine, Yitty, Zayla, Zuri, Acacia, Adhara, Ailyn, Alasia, Aleeza, Allena, Alona, Alyza, Amaria, Ani, Audrie, Avia, Ayda, Azia, Briza, Brynna, Cera, Cienna, Cordie, Dori, Dyani, Edyn, Ela, Elvie, Enola, Esmae, Ezri, Ilah, Illa, Isha, Isley, Iyla, Jaila, Jhene, Jiana, Jorja, Kalaya, Kamia, Keaira, Keilah, Keiry, Kelis, Kirra, Kiyana, Lala, Layna, Leilany, Leya, Luci, Makiah, Malea, Mali, Mayah, Mayla, Mel, Melia, Milah, Mileena, Myka, Neela, Niah, Nilah, Nissa, Niya, Nyomi, Peri, Roya, Sahasra, Samaira, Samari, Saray, Sela, Shaila, Shanti, Shara, Shylah, Sima, Sury, Tala, Tali, Tanaya, Thania, Tula, Viva, Xyla, Zada, Zadie, Zaya, Ziah, Ziva, Aayla, Adaia, Adra, Aeva, Aleesa, Alexah, Allayah, Alleah, Allyana, Alyia, Amela, Amilya, Amyla, Anaira, Anaisa, Analaya, Analeia, Anyia, Araina, Aralynn, Arella, Arieal, Ariona, Ariza, Arshia, Aryam, Arynn, Ashya, Ave, Aveyah, Avri, Ayiana, Aza, Azara, Bellah, Briah, Brin, Cadee, Caela, Caiya, Cala, Callee, Callia, Camya, Cana, Carah, Caylah, Ceanna, Chani, Chela, Ciani, Corra, Cyanna, Dajia, Daliah, Dari, Davia, Delayza, Elah, Eleena, Eleina, Elis, Eliya, Elka, Ellah, Elleana, Emya, Eriel, Esli, Esly, Evana, Evany, Evia, Eviana, Gatha, Idalis, Indiya, Iylah, Jasani, Jema, Juni, Ka, Kadi, Kaleia, Kama, Kaoir, Karman, Kayra, Keirah, Kela, Kelia, Keyra, Khyla, Kilah, Kimaya, Kimya, Kirah, Kiyara, Koral, Lalah, Lanay, Landy, Layana, Leala, Leelah, Leeya, Lexia, Leyana, Lyna, Maela, Mahari, Makaia, Maraya, Matia, Mayan, Maylen, Meeka, Meela, Meila, Melah, Melayna, Meya, Mili, Mima, Miri, Moncia, Myleah, Mysha, Naiomi, Nissi, Niyla, Noha, Nomi, Novie, Nyana, Ovella, Pari, Pluma, Raiya, Rheya, Rhiana, Romee, Rylah, Sadi, Samarra, Seaira, Shilah, Siarra, Sitara, Synia, Tamila, Teela, Teia, Veena, Versa, Veyda, Viana, Viha, Vila, Xiana, Yarel, Zahari, Zaila, Zaiya, Zanya, Zeena, Zela, Zemira, Zera, Ziana, Ziara, Ziona, Zissy, Zorah, Zully, Zuly, Zuriah, Zurie, Zyra, Adalaya, Adaly, Alasha, Alenah, Alexza, Alianah, Aliayah, Alilah, Aliz, Alizea, Allia, Alyla, Ameia, Ameri, Amesha, Anaeli, Anaja, Aneth, Anyae, Areana, Areya, Aryella, Avriel, Ayde, Azani, Azyla, Calaya, Capria, Chanika, Chia, Cyrah, Danaja, Elaia, Elaya, Elira, Ellora, Elody, Elsi, Emaya, Esti, Haizel, Hazyl, Hemen, Ileah, Illyana, Imaya, Izara, Jady, Jaeli, Jaisa, Jalea, Jamilex, Jamine, Jasa, Jasimine, Jemia, Joury, Kamela, Katura, Kayani, Kaylla, Keeana, Kelina, Keria, Kesi, Khloi, Kiala, Kiela, Kinya, Kyari, Kyliana, Lailyn, Laiya, Lalla, Laylee, Leba, Lekia, Lenni, Lilas, Litha, Lylla, Madeleyn, Madia, Makenah, Malini, Malya, Marcedes, Mavie, Mayetta, Mayven, Mazzy, Meyah, Miara, Mikya, Milany, Minah, Minnah, Mylea, Mylena, Myrah, Naara, Nai, Navah, Neenah, Nikya, Nil, Nira, Noraa, Nyara, Nyela, Nyiah, Nylia, Nysa, Osha, Rahi, Rainna, Ramani, Ramaya, Reeya, Reyah, Rheana, Rhemi, Rissa, Rumani, Samika, Sema, Sennie, Seylah, Shila, Simaya, Simya, Sireen, Siyah, Siyana, Surina, Syann, Sylena, Taeya, Tangi, Tila, Timi, Tovah, Tyia, Valera, Xylina, Ysela, Zaela, Zala, Zeva, Zira, Zoi, Zynia, Aizal, Aleeha, Annai, Ayris, Ivry, Jadi, Kahleah, Kimimila, Meiah, Mekala, Naz, Onya, Samarie, Shakya, Acasia, Ahriyah, Ajaya, Ajna, Akacia, Akya, Aleila, Alejah, Aleli, Aleynah, Aleyssa, Alila, Alinea, Allea, Alyzae, Amalee, Amary, Amiaya, Anab, Anahia, Aniayah, Annaka, Anova, Aquinnah, Araeya, Araia, Araiah, Arayla, Ardra, Ariday, Arihana, Aroush, Aryaa, Aryani, Arzoyi, Asal, Atisha, Avea, Aveena, Ayen, Ayira, Ayriel, Azlee, Beila, Beza, Blia, Briea, Carlia, Casara, Chamika, Chariah, Chasya, Chevi, Clova, Dalya, Dawt, Dhyana, Dniya, Elaynah, Elieth, Elilah, Elleah, Ellionna, Elowen, Eriyah, Esmie, Faya, Flara, Gabbi, Geniya, Heela, Helem, Idara, Ikeya, Ilee, Iliza, Illana, Imona, Indyah, Ishi, Itzy, Jaena, Jemya, Jerah, Jessah, Jimma, Jora, Kaianna, Kailiana, Kaiyla, Kaleeah, Kamy, Kashi, Kayia, Kehlanie, Kenniya, Keyah, Khaia, Khamille, Khila, Kiaria, Kili, Kima, Krisna, Kyira, Kymia, Lache, Lacora, Leyan, Lile, Lind, Loda, Maileen, Makhya, Malan, Malay, Marnae, Mayve, Meeya, Melaya, Meliya, Mellina, Mikaiah, Miski, Nayvi, Neera, Nicha, Nilaya, Nimsi, Niza, Noheli, Nyala, Nylaa, Ovi, Piya, Quiera, Rasa, Reia, Rhaya, Rinnah, Ryian, Saaya, Saide, Sakira, Sanye, Sarit, Serine, Serria, Sherah, Sheva, Shyah, Sibley, Sila, Simara, Sisira, Summar, Svara, Syla, Taara, Talah, Tanji, Tata, Thula, Tima, Tinya, Tiyona, Tola, Twylah, Usha, Viya, Xalia, Xoie, Xola, Xya, Yalexa, Yali, Yelina, Yzabelle, Zaidy, Zanae, Zanai, Zannah, Zeeva, Zienna, Zierra, Zilah, Ziza, Zoii, Zoua, Zuley, Zurri, Zyelle
Brothers: Eli, Leo, Owen, Finn, Noah, Jayce, Xander, Zander, Zane, Alvah, Amias, Cael, Callum, Coby, Eathan, Eithan, Gael, Jed, Kian, Kyrie, Marlin, Mikah, Mylan, Rayden, Ruel, Sid, Zavier, Aren, Bayron, Calen, Castiel, Coen, Edan, Eian, Eiden, Elan, Elon, Ethyn, Eyan, Ezrah, Fenix, Javan, Jesiah, Juel, Kaine, Kalob, Kiyan, Kyrin, Lucus, Mazi, Om, Shai, Shaya, Zade, Zyan, Addam, Adien, Agam, Asahd, Avan, Avel, Aydrian, Azel, Baden, Calib, Chai, Dalan, Dalon, Daryan, Daymian, Dayon, Derion, Dewan, Dilon, Easten, Eidan, Eligh, Emon, Esiah, Eydan, Ezrael, Javis, Jobie, Kadan, Kagen, Kahari, Kail, Kailan, Kalem, Kaleth, Khaleb, Ki, Klint, Kol, Kord, Kush, Lamari, Lelon, Leno, Lerone, Loney, Lukus, Lum, Lyan, Michah, Mikai, Milas, Nasier, Neeko, Nolin, Nomar, Ras, Reyan, Rolan, Shant, Stanly, Sylis, Tavien, Taye, Vilas, Xaiver, Xaviar, Yafet, Zael, Zakhari, Zan, Zian, Zidane, Adain, Airen, Ariv, Arren, Arth, Asai, Aum, Ayron, Cane, Cashus, Cauy, Daimen, Daimian, Daved, Daymion, Diyan, Eilam, Elai, Elya, Elyan, Elye, Erlin, Etan, Ethon, Ezran, Haron, Ithan, Iyan, Izaya, Izen, Izick, Jaeceon, Jayan, Jayko, Jese, Json, Kalik, Keian, Keinan, Khalan, Kirtan, Koal, Levis, Lijah, Luken, Mahzi, Mase, Masin, Matson, Merek, Mycah, Mylen, Myson, Nalin, Nole, Nolyn, Nyko, Rhen, Rivan, Romen, Ruhan, Sael, Sirus, Soma, Tajai, Talik, Theran, Tivon, Urie, Wilver, Xyleek, Yerick, Yony, Yordy, Zaide, Zaron, Zavior, Zayon, Zeek, Zubin, Asar, Delan, Izic, Khalee, Mahin, Ruxin, Samik, Acari, Adean, Adoni, Adren, Adryel, Ahzir, Aidian, Aivan, Aksh, Aro, Arrin, Asah, Asaya, Ashai, Ashyr, Azi, Caz, Cyrie, Demiri, Deren, Dravon, Ehitan, Eljay, Harim, Inmer, Ishir, Ivann, Izaih, Izreal, Izzak, Jader, Jaken, Jazael, Jaze, Jekhi, Jhoel, Jkai, Kaiel, Kalden, Kaliel, Kayan, Kayman, Keeon, Keimon, Khup, Khyaire, Kiren, Kyian, Kyrus, Leray, Luv, Lyall, Macio, Malic, Maziyon, Mykai, Mylik, Nehan, Nevyn, Niguel, Noan, Noar, Noeh, Nyan, Nyel, Ory, Ozil, Prish, Quency, Riel, Robey, Romin, Saben, Sahan, Samil, Samin, Sanay, Siris, Talis, Tallis, Tiam, Vivin, Xeng, Yaxiel, Yorel, Zadiel, Zaion, Zandon, Zared, Zavi, Zevi, Zhion, Zihan, Zimir, Zoel, Zohan, Zolan
Names like Lila
Names whose popularity has moved with Lila's over the last 50 years.

