Find out how popular the first name Gelila has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Gelila by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Gelila is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 11 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Gelila.

The history of the first name Gelila

The name Gelila has its origins in the Amharic language of Ethiopia. Amharic is a Semitic language that traces its roots back to the ancient Ge'ez language spoken in the region now known as Eritrea and Ethiopia. The name Gelila is believed to be derived from the Amharic word "gelil," which means "beautiful" or "attractive."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Gelila can be found in the Kebra Nagast, a 14th-century literary work that chronicles the story of the Queen of Sheba and her son Menelik I, who is said to be the founder of the Solomonic dynasty in Ethiopia. In this text, Gelila is mentioned as the name of one of the handmaidens who accompanied the Queen of Sheba on her legendary journey to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem.

Throughout history, the name Gelila has been borne by several notable individuals, including Gelila Assefa Wako (born 1957), an Ethiopian politician and diplomat who served as the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in the Ethiopian government. Another prominent figure with this name is Gelila Bekele (born 1983), an Ethiopian long-distance runner who won the gold medal in the 5000 meters event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

In the realm of literature, Gelila Mesfin (1937-2006) was an acclaimed Ethiopian novelist and playwright who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern Amharic literature. Her works, including the novel "Admas Endendenaw" (The Heavens Have Become Nearer), explored themes of social injustice and the struggles of women in Ethiopian society.

Moving beyond Ethiopia, the name Gelila has also been adopted by individuals in other parts of the world. For instance, Gelila Pasha (1923-2005) was a Palestinian diplomat and politician who served as the Ambassador of Palestine to several countries, including the United States and the United Nations.

Another notable figure with the name Gelila is Gelila Bekele Esheto (born 1974), a Swedish-Ethiopian model and activist. Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, she has been an outspoken advocate for human rights and has used her platform to raise awareness about issues affecting women and marginalized communities.

These examples demonstrate the rich cultural heritage and diverse backgrounds associated with the name Gelila, which has transcended its origins in the Amharic language to become a name celebrated across different regions and communities.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Gelila was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Gelila, please contact us.

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