Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mila
GirlSlavic· “gracious, dear”
- Meaning
- gracious, dear
- Origin
- Slavic
- Pronunciation
- MEE-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #43
- US babies 2025
- 4,796
- Best rank
- #14 (2018)
- Peak year
- 2018
Meaning and origin of Mila
Mila is a Slavic name that means “gracious, dear”.
Mila comes from the Slavic element mil, meaning gracious or dear, and it began as a short form of names such as Ludmila and Milena. It can also serve as a nickname for Camila. In Slavic countries it has long been familiar, and it has become popular across the English-speaking world in recent decades. The usual American pronunciation is MEE-luh, though MY-luh is sometimes heard. The actress Mila Kunis, born in Ukraine, helped make the name widely known in the United States. Mila is short, gentle and easy to pair with longer middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Myla.
Popularity over time
Mila first appears in US Social Security records in 1881. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 1881. Its best national rank was #14 in 2018, the same year it reached its highest count of 8,169 babies. In 2025, 4,796 babies were named Mila, and it ranked #43 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #2,546 in 1920, #3,172 in 1950, #4,091 in 1980, #2,098 in 2000, #364 in 2010, and #43 in 2025. Of the 84,489 US girls named Mila since records began, 52% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 35,670 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Scarlett, Aria, Penelope, Layla, and Stella.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mila ranked highest in Florida, Rhode Island, and Michigan.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | #14 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | #16 | 26 |
| Michigan | #20 | 180 |
| California | #22 | 786 |
| New Jersey | #26 | 179 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mila is usually pronounced MEE-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Myla.
Middle names for Mila
A few middle names that flow with Mila: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mila
Similar names
Ella Girl
EH-luh
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Layla Girl
LAY-luh
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Stella Girl
STEL-uh
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Isla Girl
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Lyla Girl
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Ayla Girl
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Bella Girl
BEL-uh
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Kayla Girl
KAY-luh
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Laila Girl
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Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
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Lila Girl
LY-luh
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Leila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#259
Lists that include Mila
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mila mean?
Mila is a Slavic name that means “gracious, dear”.
What is the origin of the name Mila?
Mila has Slavic roots. Mila comes from the Slavic element mil, meaning gracious or dear, and it began as a short form of names such as Ludmila and Milena.
Is Mila a popular name?
Yes. Mila ranked #43 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Mila a boy or girl name?
Mila is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mila?
Mila is usually pronounced MEE-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings