Leela

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEE-luh /ˈliː.lə/High

Meaning: Play; divine play; from Sanskrit lila (play, sport, divine play — the universe as God's creative play)High

In 30 seconds: A Sanskrit name meaning 'divine play' — the concept of lila, the universe as the spontaneous, joyful play of the divine. One of Hinduism's most beautiful metaphysical concepts given as a name.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighSanskrit

MeaningPlay; divine play; from Sanskrit lila (play, sport, divine play — the universe as God's creative play)

U.S. rank (2025)#1282 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births175 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2016

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,544

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Leela is from Sanskrit lila (play, divine play, sport). In Hindu cosmology, lila describes the nature of creation as God's divine play rather than purposeful work — suggesting a universe infused with joy and freedom. As a given name it has been used in India for centuries.

Leela ranked #1257 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? In Hindu philosophy, lila (divine play) is the idea that the universe was created not out of necessity but out of divine playfulness — God creating existence as a game or dance purely for the joy of it. The name Leela gives a child the identity of that cosmic playfulness.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Leela — Sanskrit etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

LilaLeilaLyla

Nicknames

Lee

Famous Bearers

★Leela James (1983-)
American R&B and soul singer-songwriter

If you like Leela…

Lila— the Sanskrit form of the same divine play root

Layla— two-syllable -ayla ending name with the same gentle quality

Lyla— the L-y form sharing the same sound

Leila— two-syllable L- name with the same soft Middle Eastern feel

Lina— short two-syllable name with the same international appeal

Explore names like Leela

By themesanskrit two-syllable hindu joyful cosmic

By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Leela mean?

Leela means 'divine play' from Sanskrit lila — the Hindu concept of the universe as God's spontaneous, joyful creative play.

How do you pronounce Leela?

It's said LEE-luh — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Leela a boy or girl name?

Leela is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Leela?

Leela ranked #1257 for U.S. girls in 2024.