MallowbyNames

Lila

LEE-lah · Arabic: night; Sanskrit: play, amusement; also a short form of Delilah and Lolita.

2025 rank (girls)
#186
Babies named in 2025
1,670
Peak popularity
2010
2025 frequency
1 in 962 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1987

Rising since 1987, #186 for girls today.

Popularity of Lila since 1880

Babies named Lila per year in U.S. Social Security records.

6561.3k2k1880192019602000Most births 2010Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s691
1890s1,673
1900s2,337
1910s5,567
1920s10,304
1930s7,840
1940s4,408
1950s3,569
1960s1,905
1970s1,234
1980s1,255
1990s1,560
2000s9,036
2010s16,568
2020s8,546

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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few 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

Variants: Leela, Lilah, Lyla

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.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for Lila, our favorite little girl.

L is for Lila…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Lila's letter becomes Lila's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Lila's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Lila mean?
Lila has multiple meanings. In Arabic it means 'night,' and in Sanskrit it means 'play' or 'amusement.'
How popular is Lila today?
As of 2025, Lila ranks 186th in the United States, with approximately 1 in every 962 baby girls given the name.
Is Lila a boy or girl name?
Lila is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.