"mountain, rocky height"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
Shaila
Does Shaila flow with your last name?
A Sanskrit name carrying the strength of mountains
Indian
Hindi
Nepali
South Asian
Earthy
Spiritual
Elegant
Traditional
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"stone, rock"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
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The Story of Shaila
Shaila comes from the Sanskrit word 'shaila' (शैल) meaning 'mountain' or 'rocky' — from the root 'shila' meaning rock or stone. In Hindu tradition, mountains are sacred, representing permanence, strength, and divine dwelling places. The name Shaila evokes the grandeur of the Himalayas and other sacred mountain ranges in South Asian culture. It is related to the name Shailaja, an epithet of the goddess Parvati meaning 'daughter of the mountain,' as Parvati's father is Himavan, god of the Himalayan mountains.
Shaila has been a steady classic in India and Nepal, particularly in Hindi-speaking regions, for generations. Its connection to mountain imagery and the divine feminine through Parvati gives it enduring spiritual appeal. The name also functions well as a cross-cultural choice as it sounds familiar in English-speaking contexts.
In Hinduism, mountains are the abodes of gods — Lord Shiva lives atop Mount Kailash, and his consort Parvati is often called 'Shailaja' (daughter of the mountain). The name Shaila thus carries connections to this divine feminine energy and the strength and permanence of the mountains.
Historical Record
Shaila first appeared in US Social Security records in 1960.
Over 3,235 babies have been named Shaila in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Shaila is past its peak , currently ranked #5,948 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Parvati, the Hindu goddess of love and devotion, is called 'Shailaja' (daughter of the mountain) because her father is Himavan, deity of the Himalayas
- The Sanskrit root 'shila' (rock) gives rise to multiple Indian names including Shila, Shilpa, and Shailaja
- Mount Kailash in the Himalayas is considered the sacred home of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology
Shaila in Other Languages
Urdu
شیلا
Hindi
शैला
Nepali
शैला
English
Shaila
Sanskrit
शैल
Popularity Over Time
#5,948
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Shaila
S
Shaila Durcal
Musician
1990
Spanish-Mexican singer known for Latin pop and regional Mexican music, daughter of legendary Spanish singer Rocío Dúrcal
S
Shailaja (Parvati) Fictional
Religious
Epithet of the Hindu goddess Parvati meaning 'daughter of the mountain'; consort of Lord Shiva and goddess of power and ...
Epithet of the Hindu goddess Parvati meaning 'daughter of the mountain'; consort of Lord Shiva and goddess of power and devotion
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,948
- Total SSA Count
- 21
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindi Nepali South Asian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Shy
Shay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Shaila
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Shaila
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Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Shaila
What does the name Shaila mean?
"mountain, rocky height" (from Sanskrit). "stone, rock" (from Sanskrit). Shaila comes from the Sanskrit word 'shaila' (शैल) meaning 'mountain' or 'rocky' — from the root 'shila' meaning rock or stone. In Hindu tradition, mountains are sacred, representing permanence, strength, and divine dwelling places. The name Shaila evokes the grandeur of the Himalayas and other sacred mountain ranges in South Asian culture. It is related to the name Shailaja, an epithet of the goddess Parvati meaning 'daughter of the mountain,' as Parvati's father is Himavan, god of the Himalayan mountains.
What is the origin of the name Shaila?
Shaila has Sanskrit, Indian, Hindi, Nepali, and South Asian origins. In Sanskrit, it means "mountain, rocky height". In Sanskrit, it means "stone, rock".
Is Shaila a boy or girl name?
Shaila is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Shaila?
Shaila is currently ranked #5948 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Shaila?
Common nicknames for Shaila include Shy and Shay.
What are good middle names for Shaila?
Popular middle name pairings include Shaila Priya, Shaila Ananya, Shaila Devi, Shaila Noor, Shaila Maya, and Shaila Grace.
What are good sibling names for Shaila?
Names that pair well with Shaila as siblings include Priya, Ananya, Meera, Arjun, Rohan, and Vikram.
How many syllables does Shaila have?
Shaila has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Shaila a common or rare name?
Shaila is an uncommon name, ranked #5948 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Shaila?
About the Name Shaila
Shaila is a girl name with Indian, Hindi, Nepali, and South Asian origins . The name means "mountain, rocky height" in Sanskrit .
Shaila is currently ranked #5,948 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Shaila has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Shaila include Shy and Shay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Shaila include Shai, Shaina, Shaindy, Shaindel . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis