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NamyLab

Leela

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Divine Play"

Commonly linked to Sanskrit lila, it denotes a cosmological play concept in Hindu philosophical traditions.

Themes:playdivinehinduismjoy
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Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Leela

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#1257Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#1257

Leela was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
+23

better than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Leela Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Leela.

8 ideas
leey
Nickname
leel
Nickname
lie
Nickname
ly
Nickname
lo
Nickname
eela
Nickname
elay
Nickname
le
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Leela

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Leela, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

7 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Leela mean?
Leela means "Divine Play". Commonly linked to Sanskrit lila, it denotes a cosmological play concept in Hindu philosophical traditions.
What is the origin of Leela?
Leela is of Sanskrit origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Leela?
According to the latest SSA data, Leela is currently ranked #1257 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Leela a girl name?
Leela is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Leela?
Popular nicknames for Leela include leey, leel, lie, ly, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Leela?
There are many names similar to Leela in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginSanskrit
Syllables2
Length5 letters
US Rank#1257
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withL

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Leela

Leela has Sanskrit roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Sanskrit baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Leela appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Indian Baby Names and Names That Mean Joy for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Baby Names Starting with L.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Leela pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Leela beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.