Milan

♀ Girl

Pronounced mih-LAN /mɪˈlæn/High

Meaning: Gracious, kind, or dear; from the Slavic root mil meaning grace, favor, or dearHigh

In 30 seconds: Milan carries Slavic roots meaning gracious and dear, and doubles as the name of Italy's fashion capital, giving it a chic international feel that has grown strongly as a girls name in the U.S.

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Origin HighSlavic, Sanskrit

MeaningGracious, kind, or dear; from the Slavic root mil meaning grace, favor, or dear

U.S. rank (2025)#753 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births362 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2013

Total births (all-time)≈ 9,555

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

History & Origin

Milan as a given name originates with the Old Slavic element mil, meaning gracious, kind, or beloved. It was historically a male name in Slavic countries, borne by Serbian and Czech rulers and artists. The Italian city of Milan (Italian: Milano) takes its name from the Latin Mediolanum, meaning central plain, and is etymologically unrelated.

In the United States, Milan gained rapid traction as a girls name in the 21st century, boosted by celebrity usage and its association with the glamorous Italian fashion city. The Slavic male name coexists with the American trend, making it a notably cross-cultural choice.

Did you know? Ciara and Future named their daughter Sienna Princess in 2020, but it was Shakira and Gerard Pique who made Milan globally famous as a girls name when they chose it for their son in 2013, and U.S. parents quickly adopted it for girls.

Overall data confidence 91%

Behind the Name — Milan — Slavic etymology and usageU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MilanaMilaniMilenaMilin

Nicknames

MilaMillie

Famous Bearers

★Milan Kundera (1929–2023)
Czech-French novelist, author of The Unbearable Lightness of Being and one of the most celebrated European writers of the 20th century.

If you like Milan…

Sienna— same chic city-name glamour with a warm feminine sound

Vienna— shares the European city-name prestige trend

Paris— fellow glamorous city used as a girls name

Milan

Frequently Asked

What does the name Milan mean?

Milan comes from the Old Slavic word mil meaning gracious, kind, or dear. As a girls name it also carries associations with the Italian fashion capital.

How do you pronounce Milan?

It is said mih-LAN, two syllables with stress on the second.

Is Milan a boy or girl name?

Milan is traditionally a male name in Slavic countries but is now predominantly used as a girls name in the United States.

Is Milan a popular girls name?

Yes, Milan has risen steadily as a girls name in the U.S. since the 2010s, reaching the top 200 in recent years.