Maila

♀ Girl

Maila Pronunciation

Maila is pronounced MY-lah /ˈmaɪ.lɑ/High

Meaning: Finnish name generally treated as a pet form within the Maria family or related to Finnish nature words; etymology partly uncertainLow

In 30 seconds: Finland's contribution to the Maya-Myla constellation: Maila is an early twentieth-century Finnish name — Vampira wore it first in Hollywood. Cold-water cool, warm vowel heart.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowFinnish, American

MeaningFinnish name generally treated as a pet form within the Maria family or related to Finnish nature words; etymology partly uncertain

U.S. rank (2024)#3467 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births45 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 716

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

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 — the reigning vowel-names of the era. It remains rare, with a secret Nordic passport.

Did you know? Maila Nurmi, the Finnish-American actress behind 1950s TV horror hostess Vampira, inspired the look that later shaped Elvira — two gothic icons from one Maila.

Overall data confidence 62%

Finnish name almanac references — Maila — usage history; etymology loose

Variations

MylaMajaMailaa

Nicknames

Mai

Famous Bearers

★Maila Nurmi (1922–2008)
Finnish-American actress who created the iconic 1950s horror hostess Vampira.

If you like Maila…

Myla— the modern sound-twin it most resembles

Mila— the reigning short M-name of the decade

Maya— the classic vowel-sister across cultures

Aila— a fellow Finnish name finding American ears

→ See all names like Maila

Browse the whole category: All Finnish names → · All American names → · All origins →

Frequently Asked

How do you pronounce Maila?

Maila is pronounced MY-lah (/ˈmaɪ.lɑ/). Press play above to hear Maila said aloud.

How do you say Maila?

Maila is said MY-lah (/ˈmaɪ.lɑ/). Press play above to hear Maila said aloud.

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.

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.