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
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).
Hello, world
Mila
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Mila on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Mila. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
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.