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GirlOrigin debated2 syllables

Mila

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Mila

The origin of Mila is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Slavic roots, with the meaning “Gracious, dear”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Mila we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a modern, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Mila ranked #43 for girls in the US, with 4,796 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2018. Since 2000, 100% of US babies named Mila were girls.

US rank 2025
#43
In 2015
#53
Babies in 2025
4,796

Popularity of Mila, 1940–2025

02.0k4.1k6.1k8.2k19401960198020002020
Girls BoysBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Mila

Mila is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.

Names similar to Mila

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.