Leela Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Leela is a name of Sanskrit origin, meaning 'play' or 'divine play'. It has evolved through various languages, maintaining its spiritual connotation. The name is often associated with creativity and divine qualities, with no direct biblical relevance. It is widely used in Hindu cultures and has gained popularity in modern times.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Leela"
Pronunciation
/ˈliːlə/
Origin
Sanskrit
Etymology
The name Leela is derived from the Sanskrit word 'līlā', which means 'play' or 'divine play'. In Hindu philosophy, it often refers to the playfulness of the divine and the universe's creative processes.
Meaning
play, divine play
Language Evolution
Sanskrit: लीला (līlā), Tamil: லீலா (Līlā), Hindi: लीला (Līlā)
Historical Usage
The name Leela has gained popularity in various cultures, especially in India and among Hindu communities, due to its spiritual significance and association with divine qualities.
Variants & Derivatives
Leela, Lila, Lilah, Leela
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Leela is perceived as a name with a rich cultural heritage and spiritual significance, often associated with creativity and playfulness.
Famous People
Leela Gandhi, an Indian scholar and activist, Leela Chitnis, an Indian actress
📊 Leela Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Leela Name Visualizations
✨ Leela Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 232 peak births in 2016
Geographic Spread
Popular across 27 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 7 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Leela"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Leela"
"Leela" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 8072nd of 9204 | 10 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 7387th of 12526 | 43 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5335th of 19264 | 155 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5092nd of 27321 | 270 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2053rd of 35406 | 1,471 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1215th of 30306 | 2,405 |
Regional Popularity of "Leela" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Leela" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
- | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
100.00% 4475th/4475 |
- |
80.86% 5108th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
44.67% 2047th/4582 |
31.35% 1619th/5164 |
31.03% 2269th/7313 |
24.51% 1829th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
30.30% 1207th/3984 |
20.82% 934th/4487 |
21.64% 1476th/6822 |
17.53% 1100th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Leela"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Leela" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Leela" in the United States
The name Leela is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Leela has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, too falling for female in South, falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Leela' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7989th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 8072nd out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 7387th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5335th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5092nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 2053rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 1215th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Leela' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.