Lila Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Lila Name Meaning

Fact: The name Lila is linked to the lilac flower, known for its pleasant fragrance and delicate beauty.

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A Deep Dive

Lila Overview

Meaning

Night, beauty, purple, divine play

Gender

Girl

Origin

Arabic, German, Persian, Sanskrit

Etymology

Originated from the Arabic word “Leila,” meaning “night,” and also has roots in Sanskrit meaning “play” or “amusement.”

Pronunciation

/ˈlaɪlə/

Popularity

Lila is favored in many countries, including the USA, the UK, and Australia, for its elegance and simplicity. In 2023, Lila ranked #224 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

7 (Analytical, Studious, Knowledgeable)

Name Styles

Exotic, Cute, Popular, Short

Associated Traits

Graceful, serene, playful

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with beauty and tranquility, and in Sanskrit, it signifies divine playfulness.

Name Day

February 12 (Hungary)
A Deep Dive

Lila Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Layla, Leila, Lyla, Lilia, Liliana, Lola, Lina

Common Nicknames

Lil, Lili, Lala

Diminutives

Lee, Lia, Lilo

Famous People

  • Lila Downs
    (Mexican-American Singer)
  • Lila Kedrova
    (Russian-French Actress)
  • Lila Lee
    (American Actress)
  • Lila Tretikov
    (Russian-American Technologist)
  • Lila Bell Wallace
    (American Publisher)
  • Lila Cockrell
    (American Politician)
  • Lila Zali
    (Georgian-American Ballet Dancer)
  • Lila Abu-Lughod
    (American Anthropologist)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Lila Crane
    ("Psycho," Film)
  • "Lila & Eve"
    (Film)
  • Lila Fowler
    ("Sweet Valley High," TV Series)
  • Lila Barton
    ("Avengers: Endgame," Film)
  • "Lila: An Inquiry into Morals"
    (Novel)
  • Lila Sawyer
    ("Hey Arnold!," TV Series)
  • Lila West
    ("Dexter," TV Series)
  • "Lila"
    (Novel by Marilynne Robinson)

Places

  • Lila Town
    (Bohol, Philippines)
  • Lila Lake
    (Washington, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Lila?

The name Lila signifies “night” or “dark beauty” across various languages. People with this name are frequently associated with elegance and mystery, having a thoughtful and introspective character.

What Is the Origin of The Name Lila?

The name Lila has diverse origins. It is derived from the Arabic word “layla” meaning “night” and also from the Sanskrit word “līlā,” which means “play” or “amusement.”

Lila Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Lila in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2232021#2212022#2132023
Top 3 Rankings#1552010#1632011#1672009

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Lila

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023213
(+8 from 2022)
1395
(+42 from 2022)
0.07975
2022221
(+2 from 2021)
1353
(+16 from 2021)
0.07546
2021223
(+5 from 2020)
1337
(+39 from 2020)
0.07463
2020228
(-1 from 2019)
1298
(-73 from 2019)
0.07343
2019227
(-2 from 2018)
1371
(-34 from 2018)
0.07472
2018225
(-15 from 2017)
1405
(-68 from 2017)
0.07555
2017210
(-1 from 2016)
1473
(-88 from 2016)
0.07797
2016209
(-10 from 2015)
1561
(-97 from 2015)
0.08064
2015199
(-15 from 2014)
1658
(-117 from 2014)
0.08499
2014184
(+6 from 2013)
1775
(+73 from 2013)
0.09073
2013190
(-8 from 2012)
1702
(-25 from 2012)
0.08829
2012182
(-19 from 2011)
1727
(-194 from 2011)
0.08905
2011163
(-8 from 2010)
1921
(-48 from 2010)
0.09914
2010155
(+12 from 2009)
1969
(+35 from 2009)
0.10042
2009167
(+13 from 2008)
1934
(+83 from 2008)
0.09550
2008180
(+79 from 2007)
1851
(+494 from 2007)
0.08887
2007259
(+70 from 2006)
1357
(+351 from 2006)
0.06412
2006329
(+117 from 2005)
1006
(+326 from 2005)
0.04812
2005446
(+42 from 2004)
680
(+81 from 2004)
0.03350
2004488
(+81 from 2003)
599
(+108 from 2003)
0.02969
2003569
(+49 from 2002)
491
(+77 from 2002)
0.02447
2002618
(+23 from 2001)
414
(+20 from 2001)
0.02096
2001641
(+108 from 2000)
394
(+87 from 2000)
0.01989
2000749
(-26 from 1999)
307
(-5 from 1999)
0.01538
1999723
(+207 from 1998)
312
(+88 from 1998)
0.01603
1998930
(+250 from 1997)
224
(+69 from 1997)
0.01156
19971180
(+131 from 1996)
155
(+24 from 1996)
0.00812
19961311
(+19 from 1995)
131
(+7 from 1995)
0.00683
19951330
(-90 from 1994)
124
(-15 from 1994)
0.00645
19941240
(+255 from 1993)
139
(+33 from 1993)
0.00713
19931495
(-43 from 1992)
106
(-3 from 1992)
0.00538
19921452
(-195 from 1991)
109
(-25 from 1991)
0.00544
19911257
(+43 from 1990)
134
(+9 from 1990)
0.00659
19901300
(-50 from 1989)
125
(-1 from 1989)
0.00608
19891250
(+126 from 1988)
126
(+23 from 1988)
0.00632
19881376
(-119 from 1987)
103
(-9 from 1987)
0.00536
19871257
(-42 from 1986)
112
(-2 from 1986)
0.00598
19861215
(-124 from 1985)
114
(-19 from 1985)
0.00618
19851091
(+192 from 1984)
133
(+36 from 1984)
0.00720
19841283
(-177 from 1983)
97
(-26 from 1983)
0.00538
19831106
(-112 from 1982)
123
(-25 from 1982)
0.00687
1982994
(-12 from 1981)
148
(-1 from 1981)
0.00816
1981982
(+4 from 1980)
149
(-1 from 1980)
0.00833
1980986
(+39 from 1979)
150
(+13 from 1979)
0.00842
19791025
(+110 from 1978)
137
(+23 from 1978)
0.00795
19781135
(-38 from 1977)
114
(-4 from 1977)
0.00693
19771097
(-11 from 1976)
118
(+6 from 1976)
0.00717
19761086
(+41 from 1975)
112
(+9 from 1975)
0.00713
19751127
(-247 from 1974)
103
(-44 from 1974)
0.00660
1974880
(+32 from 1973)
147
(+12 from 1973)
0.00939
1973912
(+16 from 1972)
135
(+3 from 1972)
0.00869
1972928
(+146 from 1971)
132
(+20 from 1971)
0.00819
19711074
(-62 from 1970)
112
(-11 from 1970)
0.00639
19701012
(-124 from 1969)
123
(-18 from 1969)
0.00671
1969888
(+78 from 1968)
141
(+26 from 1968)
0.00800
1968966
(-55 from 1967)
115
(-11 from 1967)
0.00673
1967911
(-87 from 1966)
126
(-20 from 1966)
0.00734
1966824
(-57 from 1965)
146
(-21 from 1965)
0.00832
1965767
(-90 from 1964)
167
(-60 from 1964)
0.00914
1964677
(-16 from 1963)
227
(-7 from 1963)
0.01160
1963661
(+77 from 1962)
234
(+39 from 1962)
0.01177
1962738
(-109 from 1961)
195
(-68 from 1961)
0.00962
1961629
(-51 from 1960)
263
(-28 from 1960)
0.01266
1960578
(-17 from 1959)
291
(-12 from 1959)
0.01399
1959561
(+15 from 1958)
303
(+9 from 1958)
0.01458
1958576
(-80 from 1957)
294
(-68 from 1957)
0.01423
1957496
(-53 from 1956)
362
(-66 from 1956)
0.01725
1956443
(+40 from 1955)
428
(+73 from 1955)
0.02078
1955483
(-18 from 1954)
355
(-4 from 1954)
0.01771
1954465
(-7 from 1953)
359
(+19 from 1953)
0.01803
1953458
(-40 from 1952)
340
(-74 from 1952)
0.01762
1952418
(+21 from 1951)
414
(+51 from 1951)
0.02177
1951439
(-8 from 1950)
363
(+12 from 1950)
0.01965
1950431
(-26 from 1949)
351
(-37 from 1949)
0.01996
1949405
(-17 from 1948)
388
(-33 from 1948)
0.02210
1948388
(+8 from 1947)
421
(+10 from 1947)
0.02416
1947396
(-10 from 1946)
411
(+25 from 1946)
0.02261
1946386
(-24 from 1945)
386
(+18 from 1945)
0.02393
1945362
(-25 from 1944)
368
(-46 from 1944)
0.02734
1944337
(-22 from 1943)
414
(-73 from 1943)
0.03030
1943315
(+1 from 1942)
487
(+5 from 1942)
0.03393
1942316
(-34 from 1941)
482
(-40 from 1941)
0.03466
1941282
(-12 from 1940)
522
(-7 from 1940)
0.04189
1940270
(+14 from 1939)
529
(+47 from 1939)
0.04478
1939284
(-9 from 1938)
482
(-49 from 1938)
0.04250
1938275
(-18 from 1937)
531
(-47 from 1937)
0.04652
1937257
(-13 from 1936)
578
(-67 from 1936)
0.05246
1936244
(-18 from 1935)
645
(-108 from 1935)
0.05986
1935226
(-16 from 1934)
753
(-91 from 1934)
0.06929
1934210
(-6 from 1933)
844
(-15 from 1933)
0.07798
1933204
(-11 from 1932)
859
(-90 from 1932)
0.08212
1932193
(-10 from 1931)
949
(-46 from 1931)
0.08578
1931183
(-13 from 1930)
995
(-208 from 1930)
0.09015
1930170
(+10 from 1929)
1203
(+95 from 1929)
0.10313
1929180
(+15 from 1928)
1108
(+74 from 1928)
0.09572
1928195
(-2 from 1927)
1034
(-25 from 1927)
0.08649
1927193
(-3 from 1926)
1059
(-26 from 1926)
0.08565
1926190
(-16 from 1925)
1085
(-163 from 1925)
0.08820
1925174
(+25 from 1924)
1248
(+195 from 1924)
0.09881
1924199
(-3 from 1923)
1053
(-11 from 1923)
0.08127
1923196
(+16 from 1922)
1064
(+145 from 1922)
0.08495
1922212
(+1 from 1921)
919
(+25 from 1921)
0.07366
1921213
(+14 from 1920)
894
(+54 from 1920)
0.06986
1920227
No change from 1919
840
(+91 from 1919)
0.06752
1919227
(+4 from 1918)
749
(+1 from 1918)
0.06376
1918231
(+9 from 1917)
748
(+70 from 1917)
0.06221
1917240
(-10 from 1916)
678
(-30 from 1916)
0.06034
1916230
No change from 1915
708
(+24 from 1915)
0.06521
1915230
(-4 from 1914)
684
(+123 from 1914)
0.06681
1914226
(+5 from 1913)
561
(+131 from 1913)
0.07042
1913231
(-5 from 1912)
430
(+34 from 1912)
0.06566
1912226
(+1 from 1911)
396
(+94 from 1911)
0.06749
1911227
(-18 from 1910)
302
(-9 from 1910)
0.06835
1910209
(+9 from 1909)
311
(+52 from 1909)
0.07413
1909218
(-5 from 1908)
259
(+5 from 1908)
0.07036
1908213
(+11 from 1907)
254
(+36 from 1907)
0.07164
1907224
(-28 from 1906)
218
(-24 from 1906)
0.06461
1906196
(+16 from 1905)
242
(+31 from 1905)
0.07721
1905212
(-27 from 1904)
211
(-48 from 1904)
0.06809
1904185
(+18 from 1903)
259
(+53 from 1903)
0.08857
1903203
(-14 from 1902)
206
(-33 from 1902)
0.07405
1902189
(+25 from 1901)
239
(+58 from 1901)
0.08526
1901214
(-23 from 1900)
181
(-87 from 1900)
0.07120
1900191
(+11 from 1899)
268
(+78 from 1899)
0.08435
1899202
(+2 from 1898)
190
(-18 from 1898)
0.07677
1898204
(+2 from 1897)
208
(+32 from 1897)
0.07587
1897206
(-11 from 1896)
176
(-25 from 1896)
0.07089
1896195
(+9 from 1895)
201
(+26 from 1895)
0.07976
1895204
(+6 from 1894)
175
(+14 from 1894)
0.07082
1894210
(-12 from 1893)
161
(-6 from 1893)
0.06823
1893198
(+13 from 1892)
167
(+20 from 1892)
0.07415
1892211
(-3 from 1891)
147
(+19 from 1891)
0.06536
1891208
(+14 from 1890)
128
(+8 from 1890)
0.06512
1890222
(-5 from 1889)
120
(+7 from 1889)
0.05951
1889217
(+30 from 1888)
113
(+25 from 1888)
0.05972
1888247
(-4 from 1887)
88
(+14 from 1887)
0.04645
1887243
(+5 from 1886)
74
(+5 from 1886)
0.04761
1886248
(+6 from 1885)
69
(+7 from 1885)
0.04488
1885254
(-33 from 1884)
62
(-11 from 1884)
0.04368
1884221
(-11 from 1883)
73
(+4 from 1883)
0.05306
1883210
(-5 from 1882)
69
(+4 from 1882)
0.05747
1882205
(+39 from 1881)
65
(+23 from 1881)
0.05618
1881244
(+10 from 1880)
42
(+6 from 1880)
0.04249
1880254
First SSA data recorded
36
First SSA data recorded
0.03688

American States Popularity Rankings for Lila

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#1792021#1652022#1682023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#2702021#2952022#2952023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#3872021#3512022#3012023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#3002021#1982022#2182023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2282021#1932022#1532023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#2292021#2862022#1882023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3642021#2252022#2242023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1882021#2532022#2282023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1332021#1602022#1672023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2212021#3112022#3122023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2002021#1322022#1392023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#3082021#2362022#3022023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2362021#1922022#2522023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#2152021#2662022#1882023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1292021#1282022#1412023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1832021#2122022#2672023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#2512021#2162022#1922023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#1992021#3232022#2202023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2472021#1612022#1402023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3312021#2402022#1752023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1922021#2192022#2502023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#2092021#2362022#2512023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#2062021#2682022#2042023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2302021#1772022#1682023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2512021#2052022#2612023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#2652021#2282022#1942023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4752021#2902022#1652023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#1692021#1342022#1342023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3722021#2092022#2812023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#3032021#4042022#2272023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2882021#2882022#2602023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2302020#2382021#812023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2682021#2682022#3052023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#2522021#4382022#5002023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1772020#1572021#1562023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1472021#1252022#1142023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2242021#1412022#1212023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#2202021#4132022#3662023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1282021#2602022#2362023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#2082020#1002021#1452023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2302021#952022#1422023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3062021#2922022#2162023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1272021#1352022#892023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1172021#1002022#742023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1862021#2532022#4622023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2512021#1092022#1512023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#832019#592020#952021

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#2362018#2082020#2082021

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#2202016#2182017#2132018

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1802014#2092015#1092020

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#781932#1222014#942023

Popularity Rankings for Lila in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#762020#712021#732022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#992021#1022022#972023

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#1872020#1482021#1182022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2202021#2182022#1662023

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#1871935#1921936#1991937

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1902013#1942015

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#2372021#2012022#2092023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#3252019#2562020#2372021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2862021#2642022#3362023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3202020#3562021#2672022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3392021#2852022#3652023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#4292020#4082021#2872022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2992021#3382022#3642023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#3912023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#9252022

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Lila a Name for Boys or Girls?

Typically, Lila is used for girls due to its association with beauty and delicacy.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Lila

Lila in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Lila Downs (Singer, born 1968): A Mexican-American singer-songwriter and actress known for her rich voice and blend of traditional Mexican music with contemporary sounds.
  • Lila Kedrova (Actress, 1918–2000): A Russian-French actress who won an Academy Award for her performance in "Zorba the Greek."
  • Lila Lee (Actress, 1901–1973): An American actress prominent in silent films and early talkies.
  • Lila Tretikov (Technologist, born 1978): A Russian-American engineer and former Executive Director of the Wikimedia Foundation.
  • Lila Bell Wallace (Publisher, 1889–1984): An American co-founder of Reader's Digest, which became one of the most widely read magazines in the world.
  • Lila Cockrell (Politician, 1922–2019): An American politician who served as the Mayor of San Antonio, Texas.
  • Lila Zali (Ballet Dancer, 1918–2003): A Georgian-American ballet dancer and founder of the Ballet Pacifica dance company.
  • Lila Abu-Lughod (Anthropologist, born 1952): An American anthropologist specializing in gender studies in the Arab world.
  • Lila Crane ("Psycho," 1960 Film): A determined woman who searches for her missing sister at the Bates Motel.
  • "Lila & Eve" (2015 Film): Follows two women who team up to avenge the deaths of their children.
  • Lila Fowler ("Sweet Valley High," 1994 TV Series): A rich and popular high school student who often finds herself in dramatic situations.
  • Lila Barton ("Avengers: Endgame," 2019 Film): The daughter of Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye.
  • "Lila: An Inquiry into Morals" (1991 Novel): Explores philosophical themes through the story of a drifter and his travels.
  • Lila Sawyer ("Hey Arnold!," 1996 TV Series): A sweet and smart girl who is the object of Arnold's affection.
  • Lila West ("Dexter," 2006 TV Series): A passionate and intense artist who becomes involved with Dexter Morgan.
  • "Lila" (2014 Novel by Marilynne Robinson): Tells the story of a woman named Lila who struggles with her past and seeks redemption.
  • Lila Town (Bohol, Philippines): A coastal town in the province of Bohol, offering beautiful beaches and rich marine biodiversity.
  • Lila Lake (Washington, USA): A small alpine lake located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
  • Lila National Forest (Utah, USA): A national forest area in Utah, providing a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking and camping.
  • Lila Town (Southern Leyte, Philippines): A small town located in the province of Southern Leyte, with lush green landscapes and traditional local culture.
  • Lila Valley (Nagano, Japan): A picturesque valley in Nagano, offering serene landscapes and traditional Japanese village charm.
  • Lila River (Madhya Pradesh, India): A river in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, flowing through dense forests and rural areas.
  • Lila Park (Buenos Aires, Argentina): A public park in Buenos Aires, featuring green spaces, playgrounds, and recreational facilities.
  • Lila District (Afghanistan): A district in Ghor Province, characterized by rugged terrain and traditional Afghan villages.

Similar Names to Lila

Sibling Names for Lila