Declining since 2006, #11,932 for girls today.
Popularity of Milka since 1960
Babies named Milka per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 18 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 34 |
| 1990s | 90 |
| 2000s | 167 |
| 2010s | 121 |
| 2020s | 58 |
Meaning & origin
Milka is a Slavic diminutive name, often derived from Milena or Miloslava, and carries the meaning of 'gracious' or 'dear' through its root milu. In the United States, the name first appeared in 1960 but remained very rare. It reached its peak rank in 2001, when it ranked 11,932, with a frequency of about 1 in 229,610 births in the latest year recorded (2025). Since 2006, however, the name has been on a declining trajectory, and it saw no listing among top states, indicating its rarity across the country. While the name is familiar to many due to the popular European chocolate brand, that association is a commercial coincidence rather than an etymological one. For parents seeking a short, sweet, and culturally rooted name with European flair, Milka offers a distinctive choice.
Milka is a feminine name used across Slavic countries, typically as a short form of longer names like Milena, Milica, or Miloslava. These names derive from the Slavic element milu, meaning 'gracious' or 'dear'. In the Balkans, Milka also appears as an independent given name. It gained some international recognition through the Milka chocolate brand, though that connection is commercial rather than onomastic.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mili, Mika
Sibling names for Milka
Names that share Milka's style, for a brother or sister.
