Mila is a chic and sophisticated name with Russian and other Slavic origins. Though the name sounds fresh and modern in the United States, Mila is considered a traditional name in other parts of the world and has different meanings in different regions.
In some Slavic languages, Mila means "industrious" and "hardworking," while in Russian it means "gracious" and "dear one." In Spanish, Mila is used as a diminutive of the name Milagros, which means "miracles." It is primarily a girl's name, but can be given to babies of any gender.
Mila is an abbreviated form of many European names, including Emilia, Milena, Ludmila, and Camila. But as Mila has gained popularity in North America, it has become a standalone girl
's name that's rising up the charts.
Mila is pronounced
"mee-lah" and doesn't have many additional spellings, though you may occasionally see it spelled Meela. Mila is a short name that doesn't lend itself well to nicknames, but if you're looking for one you could try Mimi or Mils.
Short and sweet, with a slightly foreign and exotic sound, Mila is a stylish choice for parents looking for a compromise between more classic names, like Emily, and more trendy names, like Luna. At just two syllables, Mila isn
't as frilly as Isabella or Alexandra but still feels feminine and delicate. Just one letter separates it from another popular girl name, Mia, yet that letter gives the name Mila a more distinct sound. It's a sweet name that ages gracefully. Plus, it
's simple to spell!
In the United States, Mila was practically unheard of as a name until 2006, when it popped up in the Social Security Administration's data at number 745 for baby girls. In the last decade, Mila has skyrocketed in popularity, thanks in part to the fame of actress Mila Kunis, who starred in the television show That 70
's Show and the film Black Swan. (Kunis' full name in Milena, but she has gone by Mila for years.)
Now, Mila is one of the most popular girl names in the U.S., hitting number 20 for baby girls in 2020 on the Social Security Administration
's list.
BabyCenter parents are also big fans of this name. On BabyCenter, Mila has been in the top 100 names for baby girls since 2013 and the top 20 names since 2018. (BabyCenter's ranking is based on data from hundreds of thousands of parents who share their baby
's name with us.)
With its international flair and simple spelling, Mila is a short and sweet name you can expect to hear for years to come.
