"earth, speech, flow"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: English
Ila
Pronunciation: [ EEL-uh ]
Does Ila flow with your last name?
A two-syllable gem rooted in Sanskrit earth and Hebrew oak
Indian
Hindu
Hebrew
Scandinavian
Minimalist
Elegant
Earthy
Spiritual
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"oak tree, terebinth"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Ila
Ila has roots in Sanskrit where it means 'earth,' 'speech,' or 'flow.' In Hindu mythology, Ila (also written Ilā) is a fascinating figure — born male, transformed female, sometimes alternating between sexes — and is considered an ancestor of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Separately, in Hebrew contexts, Ila may derive from Elah meaning 'oak tree' or 'terebinth.' The name also exists in Finnish as a form of Elias.
Ila is rising sharply in the US among parents seeking ultra-short, nature-connected names. Its similarity to the wildly popular Isla and Ella gives it name-trend benefits while remaining distinctive. It entered the US top 1000 in 2019.
In Hindu mythology, Ila's story of gender transformation makes the name significant in discussions of gender fluidity in ancient texts. In modern South Asian communities, Ila is a classic traditional name. In Western contexts, it reads as a minimalist nature name.
Historical Record
Ila first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 6,892 babies have been named Ila in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ila is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #679 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Ila appears in the Mahabharata as an ancestor of the Pandava heroes
- The name is among the shortest possible names — just three letters — while carrying deep mythological meaning
- Ila climbed 400 places in the US naming charts between 2016 and 2022
Ila in Other Languages
Hindi
इला
Hebrew
אֵלָה
Bengali
ইলা
Finnish
Ila
Sanskrit
इला
Popularity Over Time
#679
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ila
I
I
Ila (Mahabharata) Fictional
Other
Mythological figure in Hindu epic the Mahabharata, ancestor of the Pandavas
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Compare Ila with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #679
- Total SSA Count
- 419
- Cultural Origins
- Indian Hindu Hebrew Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Illy
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ila
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
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Also a Boy Name
Ila is also used as a boy name, ranked #38336.
View Ila as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ila
What does the name Ila mean?
"earth, speech, flow" (from Sanskrit). "oak tree, terebinth" (from Hebrew). Ila has roots in Sanskrit where it means 'earth,' 'speech,' or 'flow.' In Hindu mythology, Ila (also written Ilā) is a fascinating figure — born male, transformed female, sometimes alternating between sexes — and is considered an ancestor of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Separately, in Hebrew contexts, Ila may derive from Elah meaning 'oak tree' or 'terebinth.' The name also exists in Finnish as a form of Elias.
What is the origin of the name Ila?
Ila has Sanskrit, Hebrew, Indian, Hindu, and Scandinavian origins. In Sanskrit, it means "earth, speech, flow". In Hebrew, it means "oak tree, terebinth".
Is Ila a boy or girl name?
Ila is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #679. As a boy name, it is ranked #38336. Ila is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Ila?
Ila is pronounced EEL-uh.
How popular is the name Ila?
Ila is currently ranked #679 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ila?
Common nicknames for Ila include Illy.
What are good middle names for Ila?
Popular middle name pairings include Ila Rose, Ila Grace, Ila Mae, Ila Jane, Ila Claire, Ila Fern, and Ila Blue.
What are good sibling names for Ila?
Names that pair well with Ila as siblings include Arya, Mira, Zara, Leo, Avi, Asha, and Luca.
How many syllables does Ila have?
Ila has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ila a common or rare name?
Ila is moderately common, ranked #679 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Ila?
About the Name Ila
Ila is a girl name with Indian, Hindu, Hebrew, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "earth, speech, flow" in Sanskrit .
Is Ila a boy or girl name? Ila is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #679 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #38,336. Ila is more commonly used as a girl name.
Ila is currently ranked #679 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Ila has 2 syllables and is pronounced EEL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ila include Illy. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Ila include Ilani, Ilana, Ilah, Ilaria . 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