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

Popularity of Lila by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,395 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lila.

The history of the first name Lila

The name Lila has its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that was prevalent in the Indian subcontinent. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "lila," meaning "play," "sport," or "pastime." This name has been in use for centuries, with roots dating back to ancient Hindu texts and scriptures.

In Hinduism, "lila" is a concept that refers to the divine play or cosmic dance of the universe, representing the creative and joyful nature of the divine. The name Lila is often associated with this idea of playfulness, joy, and creativity.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Lila can be found in the Bhagavata Purana, an important Hindu scripture composed around the 9th century CE. In this text, Lila is mentioned as one of the names of the Hindu goddess Radha, the consort of Lord Krishna.

Throughout history, the name Lila has been borne by various notable figures. One of the most famous was Lila Stundžia (1858-1925), a Lithuanian writer, poet, and playwright who made significant contributions to Lithuanian literature during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Another prominent figure with this name was Lila Bateson (1898-1988), an American writer and anthropologist who studied the indigenous cultures of New Britain and New Ireland in the South Pacific. She was also known for her work on communication and cybernetics.

In the realm of art, Lila Acheson Wallace (1889-1984) was an American philanthropist and co-founder of Reader's Digest magazine. She established the Lila Acheson Wallace Fund, which supported various cultural and educational initiatives.

Lila Prap (1898-1980) was a Cambodian writer, poet, and educator who played a significant role in promoting Khmer literature and culture. She is considered one of the most influential figures in modern Cambodian literature.

Lastly, Lila Krasnogorskaya (1924-2001) was a Russian-born American artist known for her abstract expressionist paintings and her involvement in the New York art scene of the 1950s and 1960s.

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

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

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