"gracious, dear one"
Milah
Soft as a whisper, strong as grace itself
Meaning & Origin
"word, speech"
The Story of Milah
Milah is a variant of Mila, a Slavic name meaning 'gracious' or 'dear,' derived from the Old Slavic root 'milu,' meaning 'grace, favor, mercy.' In Hebrew, Milah carries the additional meaning of 'word' or 'speech,' connecting to the covenant practice of milah as a divine promise. The '-ah' ending places it closer to the Hebrew tradition while retaining Slavic warmth.
Mila/Milah has surged globally in the 2010s-2020s, driven partly by actress Mila Kunis's widespread fame. The name benefits from the broader trend toward short, soft-sounding girl names ending in '-a,' consistently ranking in top 20 lists across multiple countries.
In Slavic countries, Mila is a classic name used for centuries, often as a nickname for longer names like Milena or Ludmila. In Israeli and Jewish communities, Milah has significance connected to speech, covenant, and the divine word.
Fun Facts
- Mila appeared in the top 10 baby name lists in over 15 countries between 2018-2023, making it one of the most universally popular names of the decade
- In Hebrew, 'milah' means 'word' or 'speech' — a deeply meaningful term connecting language, covenant, and the divine in Jewish tradition
Milah in Other Languages
Famous People Named Milah
Mila Kunis
Actor
1983
Ukrainian-born American actress known for That '70s Show, Black Swan, and Friends with Benefits
Mila Jovovich
Actor
1975
Ukrainian-American actress and model known for the Resident Evil franchise
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,515
- Total SSA Count
- 143
- Cultural Origins
- Slavic American Hebrew English
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Milah
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About the Name Milah
Milah is a girl name with Slavic, American, Hebrew, and English origins . The name means "gracious, dear one" in Old Slavic .
Milah is currently ranked #1,515 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Milah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Milah include Mi and Mimi. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Milah include Mila, Milani, Milan, Milana, Milagros . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.