Gila Girl

Popularity: #939 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: GEE-lah //ˈɡiː.lə//

Origin: Hebrew; Spanish

Meaning: Hebrew: 'joy'; Spanish: 'gila' means 'joy' or 'delight'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Gila has its roots in Hebrew, deriving from the word "gilah," which means "to rejoice" or "to be glad." This etymological origin reflects a deep-seated cultural significance, as names in Hebrew often carry meanings that reflect positive attributes or emotions. The transition of the name into other languages and cultures is less documented, but it has maintained its Hebrew essence, particularly within Jewish communities and among those familiar with Hebrew language and culture.

Historically, the name Gila is associated with various figures in Jewish tradition, although it does not have a specific biblical reference like some other Hebrew names. The use of Hebrew names has been prevalent since ancient times, with many being adopted and adapted through various translations of religious texts, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, which influenced the spread of Hebrew names into other cultures.

The name Gila, while not as widely recognized in historical texts, reflects the broader trend of Hebrew names being embraced in Jewish diaspora communities throughout the centuries. Culturally, Gila embodies themes of joy and celebration, which are significant in Jewish traditions and festivals.

The name's meaning resonates with the values of happiness and community, often celebrated during significant life events such as weddings and births. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, Gila itself stands as a testament to the enduring nature of Hebrew names that encapsulate positive human experiences.

The name's simplicity and joyful connotation contribute to its lasting appeal within cultural narratives.

Famous people named Gila

In this section, you will find notable people named Gila. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Gila who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Gila who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Gila Monster is a species of venomous lizard best known for its distinctive coloration and being one of the few venomous lizards in the world.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Gila, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Gila. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Gila was first seen in the United States in 1920.

Gila has ranked as high as #5818 nationally, which occurred in 1973, and has been most popular in New York.

In the past 5 years the name Gila has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Gila is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Gila was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Gila.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 9 9
2024 9 9
2023 14 14
2022 8 8
2021 13 13
2020 13 13
2019 10 10
2018 14 14
2017 15 15
2016 7 7
2015 12 12
2014 7 7
2013 9 9
2012 11 11
2011 12 12
2010 6 6
2009 7 7
2008 12 12
2007 10 10
2006 10 10
2005 8 8
2004 5 5
2002 16 16
2001 12 12
2000 10 10
1999 10 10
1998 12 12
1997 9 9
1996 8 8
1995 7 7
1994 12 12
1993 7 7
1992 8 8
1991 9 9
1990 5 5
1989 12 12
1988 11 11
1987 7 7
1985 15 15
1984 11 11
1983 6 6
1982 7 7
1981 11 11
1980 5 5
1979 6 6
1978 6 6
1977 7 7
1976 11 11
1975 8 8
1974 10 10
1973 16 16
1972 11 11
1971 6 6
1970 10 10
1969 12 12
1968 7 7
1967 14 14
1966 13 13
1965 11 11
1964 6 6
1961 6 6
1960 5 5
1959 10 10
1956 5 5
1953 5 5
1947 6 6
1935 7 7
1929 5 5
1920 6 6

Top States for Gila (2020)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%