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Home › Baby Names Directory › Neilah

Neilah

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEE-luh /ˈniː.lə/Medium

Meaning: Most often a modern respelling of Neila or Naila (Arabic Na'ila, 'achiever; one who attains'), with the -ah ending giving it a lyrical finish. Separately, Ne'ilah is the name of the closing prayer service of Yom Kippur in Jewish tradition, so the sound carries that echo for some families. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft, flowing two-beat name: Neilah reads as a spin on Neila or Naila (said 'NEE-luh'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowEnglish, Hebrew, Arabic
MeaningMost often a modern respelling of Neila or Naila (Arabic Na'ila, 'achiever; one who attains'), with the -ah ending giving it a lyrical finish. Separately, Ne'ilah is the name of the closing prayer service of Yom Kippur in Jewish tradition, so the sound carries that echo for some families. Routes uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#14730 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2010
Total births (all-time)≈ 80

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201020042024

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

Neilah is best read as a modern, softened spelling of Neila or Naila — the Arabic Na'ila, 'achiever; one who attains.' The added -h gives it a gentle, lyrical close that suits current taste. The same string also names Ne'ilah, the concluding prayer of Yom Kippur in Jewish practice, which some families will hear. The routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'NEE-luh').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records for girls. Rare, soft-edged, and lyrical.

Did you know? Neilah sits close to Arabic Naila ('one who attains'), while the same sound names Ne'ilah, the closing service of Yom Kippur — a name with more than one echo, and routes we cannot pin down, which we note (said 'NEE-luh').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Neilah — Neila/Naila respelling; Ne'ilah echo noted; routes uncertain

Variations

NeilaNailaNyla

Nicknames

NeiLah

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Neilah…

Nyla— the streamlined cousin in sound
Leila— a like soft, vowel-rich pick
Kaila— a like lilting two-beat name
Naila— the Arabic name Neilah echoes

Explore names like Neilah

By themeuncertainmodernsoftlyrical
By meaningSnow / Winter

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Neilah mean?

Neilah reads as a modern spelling of Neila or Naila (Arabic 'achiever'); the sound also matches Ne'ilah, the closing Yom Kippur service. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Neilah?

It's said NEE-luh /ˈniː.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Neilah a boy or girl name?

Neilah is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Neilah?

Neilah is a rare name for girls in the U.S.

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