Ila Girl

Popularity: #555 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: EE-lah /iːˈlɑː/

Origin: Sanskrit; Hebrew

Meaning: Sanskrit: Earth; Hebrew: God is my light

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Ila has its roots in ancient languages, primarily deriving from the Sanskrit word "ila," which means "earth" or "speech." This etymology highlights a connection to nature and communication, reflecting the significance of these elements in various cultures. The name has also been linked to the Hebrew name "Elah," meaning "oak tree," which carries connotations of strength and endurance.

The transition of the name into English likely occurred through various cultural exchanges and translations over centuries, particularly during periods of increased interaction between different linguistic groups. Historically, the name Ila appears in various mythological and literary contexts.

In Hindu mythology, Ila is a significant figure, often associated with the lunar deity Chandra and recognized for her role in the epic narratives of ancient texts. This connection to mythology underscores the name's cultural resonance in South Asian traditions, where it has been celebrated for its ties to divine and earthly themes.

The name's presence in literature and religious texts throughout the centuries has contributed to its enduring significance. In addition to its mythological roots, Ila has been embraced in various cultural contexts, often symbolizing harmony and balance between the earthly and celestial realms.

The name has been used in poetry and storytelling, further embedding it within the cultural fabric of societies that value nature and communication. Its associations with strength and resilience, particularly through its connections to trees and the earth, have allowed it to maintain a place in the lexicon of names that evoke a sense of grounding and stability.

While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Ila stands out in its own right, representing a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural depth.

Famous people named Ila

In this section, you will find notable people named Ila. 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 Ila who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Ila 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.

Ila Stubbins is a singer best known for her work with the band The Shirelles.

Ila P. D. is a writer best known for her novels and contributions to contemporary literature.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Ila, 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 Ila. 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 Ila was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Ila has ranked as high as #437 nationally, which occurred in 1925, and has been most popular in North Carolina, Alabama, Michigan, California, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Ila 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 Ila was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Ila (2024)

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.

State Births Share
CA 37
10%
OH 30
8%
TX 23
6%
NC 20
5%
WI 17
5%
FL 15
4%
UT 13
4%
GA 13
4%
IL 13
4%
AZ 13
4%
IN 13
4%
AL 11
3%
MA 10
3%
VA 10
3%
PA 10
3%

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 Ila.

YearBirths
2024419
2023480
2022428
2021376
2020311
2019249
2018183
2017230
2016199
2015213
2014203
2013142
2012150
2011129
2010155
2009124
2008109
200788
200690
200574
200460
200355
200243
200157
200038
199938
199825
199728
199630
199516
199425
199316
199219
199119
199024
198916
198817
198731
198620
198516
198429
198321
198224
198123
198028
197933
197827
197730
197625
197532
197426
197323
197227
197135
197024
196941
196836
196749
196642
196536
196455
196349
196270
196172
196057
195973
195889
195794
195683
195587
195481
1953137
1952144
1951112
1950133
1949123
1948143
1947183
1946147
1945151
1944172
1943189
1942229
1941217
1940212
1939247
1938299
1937320
1936310
1935312
1934367
1933379
1932427
1931427
1930451
1929481
1928524
1927531
1926487
1925642
1924577
1923524
1922576
1921623
1920561
1919549
1918564
1917494
1916513
1915451
1914376
1913279
1912274
1911243
1910199
1909200
1908196
1907162
1906146
1905166
1904143
1903160
1902154
1901138
1900177
1899113
1898114
1897119
1896126
189597
1894112
189397
189293
189172
189063
188954
188849
188743
188645
188542
188429
188332
188225
188120
188015