"strength, power"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Zaila
Does Zaila flow with your last name?
A strong name made famous by a spelling bee champion
African American
Arabic
East African
Strong
Modern
Bold
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"variant of Zara, princess"
Origin: Hebrew/Arabic
Language: English
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The Story of Zaila
Zaila is a name with possible Arabic and Swahili roots, where it carries connotations of strength and power. The name gained significant visibility in 2021 when Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, bringing the name into national consciousness.
Zaila surged in popularity following Zaila Avant-garde’s historic Spelling Bee victory in July 2021. The 14-year-old from New Orleans captured hearts nationwide with her basketball skills and spelling prowess, making Zaila a name associated with excellence and achievement.
Since 2021, Zaila is strongly associated with Zaila Avant-garde and represents breakthrough achievement, particularly in the African American community. The name embodies resilience and multifaceted talent, resonating with parents who admire the real-world namesake’s accomplishments.
Historical Record
Zaila first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 827 babies have been named Zaila in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Zaila is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,734 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021
- Zaila Avant-garde holds three Guinness World Records for basketball dribbling tricks
Zaila in Other Languages
Arabic
زيلا
Spanish
Zaila
Swahili
Zaila
Popularity Over Time
#2,734
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Zaila
Z
Zaila Avant-garde
Other
2007
First Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee (2021), also a basketball prodigy
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,734
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- African American Arabic East African
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Zai
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, modern style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, modern style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Zaila
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Zaila
What does the name Zaila mean?
"strength, power" (from Arabic). "variant of Zara, princess" (from Hebrew/Arabic). Zaila is a name with possible Arabic and Swahili roots, where it carries connotations of strength and power. The name gained significant visibility in 2021 when Zaila Avant-garde became the first Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee, bringing the name into national consciousness.
What is the origin of the name Zaila?
Zaila has Arabic, Hebrew/Arabic, African American, and East African origins. In Arabic, it means "strength, power". In Hebrew/Arabic, it means "variant of Zara, princess".
Is Zaila a boy or girl name?
Zaila is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Zaila?
Zaila is currently ranked #2734 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Zaila?
Common nicknames for Zaila include Zai.
What are good middle names for Zaila?
Popular middle name pairings include Zaila Grace, Zaila Marie, Zaila Amara, Zaila Rose, and Zaila Jade.
What are good sibling names for Zaila?
Names that pair well with Zaila as siblings include Zara, Amara, Kai, Zion, and Nyla.
How many syllables does Zaila have?
Zaila has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Zaila a common or rare name?
Zaila is an uncommon name, ranked #2734 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Zaila?
About the Name Zaila
Zaila is a girl name with African American, Arabic, and East African origins . The name means "strength, power" in Arabic .
Zaila is currently ranked #2,734 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Zaila has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Zaila include Zai. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Zaila include Zailey, Zailee . 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