Neilah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: NEE-lah //ˈniː.lə//
Origin: Hebrew; English
Meaning: God's miracle (Hebrew); champion (English)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Neila, often rendered as Neilah, has its roots in Hebrew, deriving from the word "ne'elah," which means "closing" or "completion." This term is particularly significant in the context of Jewish liturgy, where it refers to the closing service of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The Hebrew language has a rich history, and its influence can be traced through various translations and adaptations, including the Septuagint and the Vulgate, before entering the English lexicon through transliteration and cultural exchange.
Historically, Neilah is associated with the solemnity and spiritual significance of Yom Kippur, which has been observed for centuries. The service of Neilah marks the final moments of the holy day, emphasizing themes of repentance and divine mercy.
This connection to a pivotal moment in the Jewish calendar has helped the name maintain its relevance within Jewish communities. The practice of naming children after significant religious observances or concepts is a common tradition in many cultures, reinforcing the name's enduring presence.
Culturally, Neilah embodies themes of closure and reflection, resonating with the values of introspection and renewal that are central to the observance of Yom Kippur. The name's association with a sacred ritual lends it a sense of gravitas and significance, making it a meaningful choice for families who wish to honor their heritage.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Neilah itself carries a weight of historical and spiritual importance that has contributed to its lasting appeal.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Neilah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Neilah was first seen in the United States in 2004.
Neilah has ranked as high as #1342 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Neilah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Neilah 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 Neilah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Neilah
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Neilah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2004 | 5 |