Mila
Mila Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity
MEE-lah
Meaning of Mila: Mila derives from the Slavic root milu, meaning "gracious" or "dear." It began as a short form of compound names such as Miloslava, Milena, and Ludmila, all built on the same root. The name has been in use in Eastern European countries for over a thousand years.
In South Slavic and West Slavic languages, Mila functions as both a standalone name and a diminutive. In Serbia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic, it appears in historical records from the medieval period, typically given to girls in families favoring traditional Slavic naming conventions. See etymology records.
The name entered wider international use in the early 21st century, partly through the public profile of Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis, whose career brought the name to American audiences from the late 1990s onward. Celebrity association accelerated adoption across English-speaking countries.
What Does Mila Mean? Origin & Etymology
In the United States, Mila first entered the SSA top-1000 in 2006. Its rise was rapid: it reached the top 100 by 2014 and peaked at rank 14 in 2018. SSA records places it at rank 33 in 2024 with 5,472 births. Track historical figures at SSA Baby Names.
Variant spellings include Milla and Myla. Milla appears in Scandinavian usage and was popularized internationally by actress Milla Jovovich. Myla is an English phonetic variant with no Slavic historical basis, emerging in the 2010s alongside other Y-substitution naming trends.
Mila shares its root with a cluster of related names: Milena, Milan, Milica, and Miroslav all carry the milu element across Slavic traditions. The name's soft phonetics and vowel ending align with broader contemporary preferences for short, melodic feminine names across the US, UK, and Australia.
How Popular Is Mila?
Numerology & Symbolism of Mila
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Mila – Similar Names & Alternatives
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Frequently Asked Questions about Mila
What does Mila mean?
Mila means gracious or dear, from Slavic mil (grace, beloved). It functions as a short form of Milena, Milica, and Ludmila. The name conveys warmth and tenderness in all Slavic languages.
What is the origin of Mila?
Mila originated as a Slavic diminutive of mil-names. Actress Mila Kunis (born in Ukraine, 1983) raised its profile in the US after her That ’70s Show fame. Broad US use grew through the 2010s.
How popular is Mila in the US?
Mila ranks 33 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 30 in 2015. Mila is popular in Czech Republic, Slovakia, and across Slavic Europe.
What are variants of Mila?
Is Mila more popular for girls or boys?
Mila is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 33 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.
Mila – Name Variants & Spellings
| Variant | Language |
|---|---|
| Myla | English variant |
| Milah | Hebrew-influenced |
| Milla | Scandinavian/Finnish |
| Milena | Slavic full form |
| Mylla | Spelling variant |