Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Shaila
GirlSanskrit, Hindi· “of the mountain, rock”
- Meaning
- of the mountain, rock
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Hindi
- Pronunciation
- SHY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #5,211
- US babies 2025
- 25
- Best rank
- #1,041 (2010)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Shaila
Shaila is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “of the mountain, rock”.
Shaila comes from Sanskrit, where it is related to the word for mountain or rock, often explained as of the mountain. In Hindu tradition the name is connected with the goddess Parvati, who is known as the daughter of the Himalaya. Shaila has been used in India for generations and is familiar among Hindu families around the world. In English it is usually pronounced SHY-luh. The name has a soft sound yet carries a sense of strength and stability through its meaning.
Popularity over time
Shaila first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,041 in 2010, the same year it reached its highest count of 241 babies. In 2025, 25 babies were named Shaila, and it ranked #5,211 nationally. That is 66% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #5,180 in 1980, #2,209 in 2000, #1,041 in 2010, and #5,211 in 2025. Of the 3,260 US girls named Shaila since records began, 33% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,068 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Maite, Lillyanna, Abbygail, Gisele, and Jersey.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Shaila ranked highest in California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| California | #3465 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Shaila is usually pronounced SHY-luh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with S and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Shaila
A few middle names that flow with Shaila: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Shaila
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Lists that include Shaila
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Shaila mean?
Shaila is a Sanskrit and Hindi name that is usually said to mean “of the mountain, rock”.
What is the origin of the name Shaila?
Shaila has Sanskrit and Hindi roots. Shaila comes from Sanskrit, where it is related to the word for mountain or rock, often explained as of the mountain.
Is Shaila a popular name?
Not especially. Shaila ranked #5,211 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Shaila a boy or girl name?
Shaila is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Shaila?
Shaila is usually pronounced SHY-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