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.
MeaningPlay; divine play; from Sanskrit lila (play, sport, divine play — the universe as God's creative play)
U.S. rank (2024)#1257 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births185 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,369
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
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
Famous bearers coming soon.
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
