Girl · 207th of 30,306
Lila
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
74,864
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2010
Peak Popularity Year
1,969
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Lila stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Lila is a name with roots in Arabic and Sanskrit, meaning 'night' and 'play'. It has evolved through various forms such as Laila and Leila. The name is characterized by its beauty and elegance, without any biblical relevance. It gained popularity in the 20th century and remains a favored choice today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈlaɪlə/
Origin
Arabic and Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Lila is derived from the Arabic word 'laila', meaning 'night', and from the Sanskrit word 'līlā', meaning 'play' or 'divine play'.
Meaning
Night, play
Language Evolution
Laila, Lila, Leila, Lilah
Historical Usage
The name Lila gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, as it was embraced for its melodic quality and positive meanings.
Variants & Derivatives
Leila, Laila, Lilah, Lyla
Modern Popularity & Image
Lila is perceived as a charming and elegant name, often associated with beauty and grace. It remains popular in various cultures and is favored for its simplicity.
Famous People
Lila McCann, Lila Downs, Lila Rose
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 1,969 peak births in 2010
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 8 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 5980th of 7545 | 16 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4396th of 6773 | 41 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 217th of 9107 | 15,798 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 251st of 9204 | 12,784 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 503rd of 12526 | 6,385 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 971st of 19264 | 2,079 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1276th of 27321 | 1,973 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 329th of 35406 | 15,344 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 207th of 30306 | 17,812 |