Nilah

♀ Girl

Pronounced NEE-lah /ˈni.lɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Sanskrit nila, 'blue, dark blue, sapphire', with an -ah ending; also echoes Leila/Nyla; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Blue as a sapphire: Nilah draws on Sanskrit nila, 'blue' — and echoes Leila/Nyla. Soft, jewel-bright, and warm.

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Origin MediumSanskrit, American

MeaningFrom Sanskrit nila, 'blue, dark blue, sapphire', with an -ah ending; also echoes Leila/Nyla; routes layered

U.S. rank (2025)#3757 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births40 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2012

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,420

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

Nilah comes from Sanskrit nila, 'blue, dark blue, sapphire', with a soft -ah ending — and overlaps Leila and Nyla (routes layered, which we note). A soft, jewel-bright name.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, blue-sapphire at the (likely) root, and bright.

Did you know? Nila means 'blue, sapphire' in Sanskrit — Nilah adds a soft -ah (and echoes Leila/Nyla); jewel-bright and lovely.

Overall data confidence 62%

References — Nila — routes layered

Variations

NilaNylaNeela

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Nilah…

Nila— the Sanskrit root name

Nyla— a sound-neighbor name

Leila— a companion -eila name

Neela— a fellow 'blue' spelling

Explore names like Nilah

By themeuncertain american sanskrit color-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Nilah mean?

Nilah draws on Sanskrit nila, 'blue, sapphire', and echoes Leila/Nyla; the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Nilah?

It's said NEE-lah /ˈni.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Nilah a boy or girl name?

Nilah is a girl's name.

How popular is Nilah?

Nilah is a rare name in the U.S.