Lila
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Night, dark beauty; play, amusement
Origin: Arabic/Sanskrit
Popularity: Ranked #187 in 2025 with 1,670 babies born.
History: Lila surged in the 2000s-2010s as a simple, beautiful name meaning 'night' in Arabic and 'play' in Sanskrit. The name's dual meaning — darkness and playfulness — creates an intriguing tension. Lila has a literary quality that appeals to book-loving American parents. The name represents the American love of short names with deep, layered meanings.
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Lila? About 1 in 1,993 babies born in 2025 were named Lila, or roughly 4.6 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Lila
What does the name Lila mean?
Lila means “Night, dark beauty; play, amusement” from Arabic/Sanskrit roots.
What is the origin of the name Lila?
Lila has Arabic/Sanskrit origin. The traditional meaning is “Night, dark beauty; play, amusement”.
How popular is Lila?
Lila ranked #186 in 2025 — given to 1,670 babies that year.
When was Lila most popular?
Lila peaked in 2010 with 1,969 babies registered that year.
Is Lila a boy or girl name?
Lila is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Lilas in registered births are female.
Is the name Lila rising or falling in popularity?
Lila has risen 42 spots in the rankings over the last 5 years — from #228 in 2020 to #186 in 2025.
How long has Lila been recorded?
Lila appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.