"gracious, dear"
Origin: Slavic
Language: English
Meela
Meela is a girl name of Slavic origin meaning "gracious, dear." Ranked #5,193 in the US, popular nicknames include Mee and Meelee.
A gentle cross-cultural gem meaning grace and joy
South Asian
African
Arabic
American
Gentle
Elegant
Unique
Modern
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"gathering, festival"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
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The Story of Meela
Meela is a variant of Mila, a name with rich roots across multiple cultures. In Sanskrit, the root connects to mela meaning gathering or festival, suggesting a joyful communal celebration. In Slavic languages, Mila means gracious or dear. The distinctive ee spelling in Meela gives it a unique visual identity while maintaining the beautiful sound of Mila, making it feel both familiar and fresh.
As Mila rocketed to the top of baby name charts worldwide partly through actress Mila Kunis, parents seeking a more distinctive variant gravitated toward Meela. The doubled-e spelling offers uniqueness while preserving the beloved sound. The name also resonates in South Asian communities where Meela connects to Sanskrit traditions.
Across South Asian cultures, the mela suffix in Meela connects to grand festivals and joyful gatherings, making the name carry connotations of celebration. In African contexts, Meela can be related to names meaning light or gentle across various traditions. The name transcends cultural boundaries with its pleasant sound.
Historical Record
Meela first appeared in US Social Security records in 2005.
Over 539 babies have been named Meela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Meela is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,193 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mila (root of Meela) became a top-10 name in many countries after actress Mila Kunis rose to fame
- In Sanskrit, mela refers to grand festivals like the Kumbh Mela, one of the worlds largest human gatherings
Meela in Other Languages
Hindi
मीला
Arabic
ميلا
Slavic
Мила
Spanish
Mila
Japanese
ミーラ
Popularity Over Time
#5,193
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Meela
M
Mila Kunis
Actor
1983
Ukrainian-American actress known for That 70s Show, Black Swan, and Bad Moms
M
Mila Jovovich
Actor
1975
American actress and model known for the Resident Evil franchise
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,193
- Total SSA Count
- 25
- Cultural Origins
- South Asian African Arabic American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Mee
Meelee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Meela
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Meela
What does the name Meela mean?
"gracious, dear" (from Slavic). "gathering, festival" (from Sanskrit). Meela is a variant of Mila, a name with rich roots across multiple cultures. In Sanskrit, the root connects to mela meaning gathering or festival, suggesting a joyful communal celebration. In Slavic languages, Mila means gracious or dear. The distinctive ee spelling in Meela gives it a unique visual identity while maintaining the beautiful sound of Mila, making it feel both familiar and fresh.
What is the origin of the name Meela?
Meela has Slavic, Sanskrit, South Asian, African, Arabic, and American origins. In Slavic, it means "gracious, dear". In Sanskrit, it means "gathering, festival".
Is Meela a boy or girl name?
Meela is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Meela?
Meela is currently ranked #5193 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Meela?
Common nicknames for Meela include Mee and Meelee.
What are good middle names for Meela?
Popular middle name pairings include Meela Rose, Meela Grace, Meela Joy, Meela Faith, Meela Jade, and Meela June.
What are good sibling names for Meela?
Names that pair well with Meela as siblings include Leela, Sasha, Zara, Kiran, Asha, and Kai.
How many syllables does Meela have?
Meela has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Meela a common or rare name?
Meela is an uncommon name, ranked #5193 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Meela
Meela is a girl name with South Asian, African, Arabic, and American origins . The name means "gracious, dear" in Slavic .
Meela is currently ranked #5,193 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Meela has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Meela include Mee and Meelee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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