Rilla Girl

Popularity: #941 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: RIL-uh //ˈrɪlə//

Origin: English; German

Meaning: English: a form of 'Rilla' from 'Arilla'; German: derived from 'Rilke' meaning 'to flow'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Rilla is believed to have originated as a diminutive form of the name Aurelia, which has Latin roots. Aurelia derives from the Latin word "aureus," meaning "golden." This connection to gold symbolizes beauty and value, contributing to the name's appeal.

The transition into English likely occurred through the influence of various European languages, particularly during the Renaissance when classical names were revived and adapted. Rilla may also be associated with the English word "rill," which refers to a small stream, adding a natural element to its interpretation.

Historically, the name Rilla gained some recognition in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly through literature. One notable milestone is the character Rilla of Ingleside, the protagonist in the 1921 novel by Canadian author L.M.

Montgomery, part of the Anne of Green Gables series. This character, Rilla, is depicted as a strong and resilient young woman during World War I, which contributed to the name's association with courage and determination.

The novel has been influential in Canadian literature and has helped to shape cultural perceptions of the name. Culturally, Rilla embodies themes of strength and femininity, often resonating with those who appreciate literary connections.

The name's association with nature, through its phonetic similarity to "rill," adds a layer of charm and whimsy. While it may not have widespread historical significance like some other names, Rilla's literary roots and its etymological connections to beauty and nature contribute to its enduring appeal in various cultural contexts.

Fictional characters named Rilla

The following list of fictional characters named Rilla is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Rilla Blythe is a fictional character from the novel Rilla of Ingleside. She is the youngest daughter of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe, navigating the challenges of World War I while maturing into adulthood.

Sibling suggestions

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

LilaMilaNinaTessaClaraZara

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Rilla. 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.

CillaNillaDellaRinaMiraLinaSillaPippa

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Rilla was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Rilla has ranked as high as #1427 nationally, which occurred in 1914, and has been most popular in Georgia, Alabama, Missouri, California, and Texas.

In the past 5 years the name Rilla has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Rilla 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 Rilla 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 Rilla.

Year Total Births Girl
2025 7 7
2024 14 14
2023 8 8
2022 10 10
2021 14 14
2020 15 15
2019 7 7
2018 7 7
2017 7 7
2016 9 9
2015 11 11
2013 8 8
2012 8 8
2010 11 11
2008 5 5
2006 7 7
2003 5 5
1994 6 6
1978 6 6
1976 5 5
1974 7 7
1970 5 5
1969 7 7
1968 6 6
1967 8 8
1965 8 8
1964 13 13
1963 10 10
1962 6 6
1961 12 12
1960 9 9
1959 11 11
1958 21 21
1957 7 7
1956 15 15
1955 24 24
1954 15 15
1953 22 22
1952 19 19
1951 31 31
1950 10 10
1949 24 24
1948 17 17
1947 30 30
1946 36 36
1945 23 23
1944 27 27
1943 31 31
1942 32 32
1941 31 31
1940 32 32
1939 32 32
1938 30 30
1937 39 39
1936 28 28
1935 27 27
1934 27 27
1933 36 36
1932 39 39
1931 30 30
1930 31 31
1929 40 40
1928 34 34
1927 41 41
1926 22 22
1925 42 42
1924 42 42
1923 39 39
1922 36 36
1921 30 30
1920 53 53
1919 45 45
1918 46 46
1917 43 43
1916 48 48
1915 44 44
1914 56 56
1913 18 18
1912 25 25
1911 31 31
1910 25 25
1909 24 24
1908 29 29
1907 21 21
1906 16 16
1905 25 25
1904 27 27
1903 22 22
1902 32 32
1901 30 30
1900 45 45
1899 30 30
1898 35 35
1897 34 34
1896 28 28
1895 40 40
1894 29 29
1893 45 45
1892 38 38
1891 35 35
1890 32 32
1889 27 27
1888 26 26
1887 25 25
1886 31 31
1885 30 30
1884 25 25
1883 23 23
1882 19 19
1881 21 21
1880 17 17

Top States for Rilla (1951)

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
CA 5
100%