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Nila
Pronounced NEE-luh /ˈni.lə/Medium
Meaning: From Sanskrit nila (नील) meaning "dark blue, indigo, sapphire"; in Tamil the word also means "moon."Medium
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
The Sanskrit root nila names a deep blue, the color of indigo and the sapphire, and that sense carries across much of South Asia. In Tamil, though, the word shifts to mean 'moon', giving the name a second, softer image. A child called Nila can therefore be tied either to a jewel-blue hue or to moonlight, depending on the language at home.
Related forms like Neela and Nilam keep the blue meaning, while Neelima and Nilima extend the same root. The short, two-syllable Nila is the plainest member of that family.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Nila Madhab Panda (1973-)Indian filmmaker known for I Am Kalam
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Nila mean?
Nila is usually explained as meaning 'dark blue' and is most often linked with Tamil tradition.
How do you pronounce Nila?
It's commonly said NEE-luh /ˈni.lə/.
Is Nila a boy or girl name?
In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Nila is used as a girl name.
How popular is Nila?
In 2024, Nila ranked #1675 in the U.S. for girls, with 122 births recorded.