Zeila

♀ Girl

Pronounced ZAY-lah /ˈzeɪ.lə/Medium

Meaning: A modern name that echoes Sheila and Zela, and also matches Zeila, a historic port town on the Somali coast. As spelled here routes are uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft name: Zeila echoes Sheila/Zela and a Somali port town (said 'ZAY-lah'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowAmerican, Somali

MeaningA modern name that echoes Sheila and Zela, and also matches Zeila, a historic port town on the Somali coast. As spelled here routes are uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#17614 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2020

Total births (all-time)≈ 67

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

Zeila reads as a modern name echoing Sheila/Zela, and it is also a historic Somali port town. As spelled the routes are uncertain, which we note - very rare in the U.S. (said 'ZAY-lah').

It appears only rarely in the U.S. Rare, soft, and distinctive.

Did you know? Zeila chimes with Sheila and Zela, and it shares its spelling with Zeila, an ancient port on the Somali coast - a soft, uncommon name whose routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'ZAY-lah').

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Zeila — echoes Sheila/Zela; Zeila Somali port; uncertain

Variations

ZelaZeylaZaila

Nicknames

ZeiLala

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Zeila…

Sheila— a name it echoes

Zaila— a spelling cousin

Layla— a like soft -la name

Kayla— a like bright -la name

Explore names like Zeila

By themeuncertain modern place-name soft

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Zeila mean?

Zeila echoes Sheila and Zela, and is a historic Somali port town; as spelled routes are uncertain.

How do you pronounce Zeila?

It's said ZAY-lah /ˈzeɪ.lə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Zeila a boy or girl name?

Zeila is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Zeila?

Zeila is extremely rare in the U.S.