Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Maila
Maila
Pronounced MY-lah /ΛmaΙͺ.lΙ/High
Meaning: Finnish name generally treated as a pet form within the Maria family or related to Finnish nature words; etymology partly uncertainLow
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Maila is a Finnish girls' name, common in the early twentieth century and usually grouped with the Maria family's pet forms, though Finnish onomastics leaves its exact derivation loose (the common noun maila happens to mean a bat or racket). Its famous bearer, Maila Nurmi, carried it to Hollywood and into horror history as Vampira.
For modern American parents the name mostly reads as a fresh spelling between Myla, Maya, and Mila β the reigning vowel-names of the era. It remains rare, with a secret Nordic passport.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
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Maila Nurmi (1922β2008)Finnish-American actress who created the iconic 1950s horror hostess Vampira.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Maila mean?
Maila is a Finnish name usually grouped with pet forms of the Maria family, though its exact derivation is loose; modern American use treats it as a Myla-Maya variant.
How do you pronounce Maila?
It's said MY-lah /ΛmaΙͺ.lΙ/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Maila a boy or girl name?
Maila is a girl's name.
How popular is Maila?
Maila is a rare name in the U.S.