Ila first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Ila has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Ila

A feminine name of Dravidian origin meaning "Earth".

Popularity of Ila by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ila is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 478 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ila.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 478
2022 0 428
2021 0 375
2020 0 311
2019 0 249
2018 0 183
2017 0 230
2016 0 199
2015 0 213
2014 0 203
2013 0 142
2012 0 150
2011 0 129
2010 0 155
2009 0 124
2008 0 109
2007 0 88
2006 0 90
2005 0 74
2004 0 60
2003 0 55
2002 0 43
2001 0 57
2000 0 38
1999 0 38
1998 0 25
1997 0 28
1996 0 30
1995 0 16
1994 0 25
1993 0 16
1992 0 19
1991 0 19
1990 0 24
1989 0 16
1988 0 17
1987 0 31
1986 0 20
1985 0 16
1984 0 29
1983 0 21
1982 0 24
1981 0 23
1980 0 28
1979 0 33
1978 0 27
1977 0 30
1976 0 25
1975 0 32
1974 0 26

The history of the first name Ila

Ila is a feminine given name with origins tracing back to various cultures and languages around the world. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "ila," which means "earth" or "region." This name is particularly prevalent in South Asian countries like India and Nepal, where it has been in use for centuries.

In Hindu mythology, Ila is the name of a legendary princess who was transformed into a man named Ila due to a curse. This story is recounted in the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata. The name also appears in other religious texts, such as the Puranas, where it is associated with various deities and goddesses.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ila dates back to the 5th century BCE, when it was mentioned in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. Over the centuries, the name has been borne by several notable figures in Indian history, including Ila Devi, a 10th-century queen of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty in present-day Bihar, India.

Moving beyond South Asia, the name Ila has also been used in various other cultures and languages. In Slavic languages, such as Russian and Polish, the name is spelled as "Ila" and is believed to be derived from the Greek word "ileos," meaning "sunbeam" or "sunshine." One notable bearer of this name was Ila Repin (1844-1930), a renowned Russian painter and artist known for his realistic portrayals of Russian life.

In Scandinavia, the name Ila is thought to be a variant of the Old Norse name "Hild," which means "battle." One famous historical figure with this name was Ila Amundsen (1879-1967), a Norwegian actress and playwright who made significant contributions to the development of Norwegian theater.

Another notable bearer of the name Ila was Ila Loar (1888-1965), an American silent film actress who appeared in numerous films during the early 20th century. She was particularly known for her roles in Western and adventure movies.

Lastly, Ila Borders (born 1975) is a former American baseball player who made history as the first woman to pitch in a men's professional baseball game. She played in the independent Northern League and the Golden Baseball League, challenging gender barriers in the sport.

These are just a few examples of the diverse historical figures who have borne the name Ila, reflecting its enduring appeal and significance across various cultures and time periods.

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 Ila was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Ila first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/ila-meaning-and-history/.

"Ila first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/ila-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Ila first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/ila-meaning-and-history/.

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