Mila

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEE-luh /ˈmiː.lə/High

Meaning: Gracious; dear; beloved; from Slavic milu (gracious, dear)High

In 30 seconds: A Slavic name meaning 'gracious' and 'dear,' Mila is a short form of longer Slavic names like Milena and Ludmila. It has become a global top-20 name for its warmth and ease.

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Origin HighSlavic

MeaningGracious; dear; beloved; from Slavic milu (gracious, dear)

Peak year2017

Total births (all-time)≈ 33,243

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mila derives from the Slavic element milu, meaning 'gracious,' 'dear,' or 'beloved.' It functions as a short form of longer Slavic names like Ludmila, Milena, and Milica, but has long been used independently in Slavic and Eastern European countries.

Mila was well established across Eastern Europe before gaining international popularity. In the English-speaking world it rose sharply in the 2000s and 2010s, boosted partly by actress Mila Kunis. It entered the U.S. top 20 girls' names by the 2020s and is popular across many countries simultaneously.

Did you know? Mila is a short form of several Slavic compound names ending in -mila, such as Ludmila ('gracious people'), Milena ('gracious'), and Milica ('dear one'). The element milu is one of the most common components in Slavic given names.

Variations

MilahMylaMilena

Nicknames

MiMilly

Famous Bearers

★Mila Kunis (1983–)
Ukrainian-American actress known for That '70s Show and Black Swan.

If you like Mila…

Mia— equally soft, brief international name dominating the top ranks

Luna— shares the warm, two-syllable vowel-ending ease

Aria— equally lyrical and globally popular

Isla— same crisp, international two-syllable appeal

Nora— shares the gentle, warm vintage-feeling sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mila mean?

Mila comes from the Slavic element milu, meaning 'gracious,' 'dear,' or 'beloved.' It is a short form of longer Slavic names like Ludmila and Milena.

How do you pronounce Mila?

Mila is said MEE-luh /ˈmiː.lə/ — two syllables, with stress on the first.

Is Mila a boy or girl name?

Mila is used almost exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Mila?

Mila entered the U.S. top 20 girls' names around 2020 after a rapid rise, reflecting both global immigration patterns and the cross-cultural appeal of short Slavic names.