Mila Name Meaning

What Does Mila Mean? 

Because Mila is a common name in many regions, it has many meanings. In Spanish, Mila is derived from the name Milagros, which means “miracles.” In Italian, the name means “miracle,” while in Russian it means “gracious” or “dear one.”

Typically, Mila is a nickname given to people with names like Camila and Emila; but the name has since taken on a life of its own and is now given as a stand-alone first name. For instance, American author, Jenna Bush Hager, named her daughter Mila.

How Popular is the Name Mila? 

Actress Mila Kunis, star of the hit TV series, “That 70s Show,” and the movie “Black Swan” is thought to contribute to the popularity of the name in the United States in recent years. Interestingly, Mila isn’t Kunis' given name. Her first name is Milena, and Mila is a nickname she has wholly embraced.

According to 2020 data from the Social Security Administration, Mila is the 20th most popular name for girls in the United States. Mila wasn’t always a popular name in the United States. In 2006 it was ranked as the 745th most popular name for girls.

Just seven years later, though, it jumped up the list and became the 78th most popular name for girls. In 2018, 8,154 babies were given the name Mila, which was the peak of its popularity. The name has experienced a slight dip in popularity since then. In 2020, 6,602 babies were named Mila in the United States. 

Name Variations 

Because Mila has various origins, it also has several variations in spelling. Here are the most common: 

• Milada (Slovak)
• Milka (Slovene)
• Milana (Belarusian)
• Milena (Italian)
• Milica (Slovene)
• Mylène (French)

Some other variations of the name that are typically given to boys include:

• Milah
• Milan (Russian, Bulgarian, Czech)
• Mile (Croatian, Macedonian)
• Milen (Bulgarian)
• Miloje (Serbian)
• Miloš (Serbian, Macedonian)

Similar Names

If you are considering the name Mila for your baby but want to consider other options before you make your decision, here are some similar names:

• Arabella
• Aria
• Cora
• Elena
• Eva
• Freya
• Lila
• Lola
• Luna
• Mali
• Maria
• Mia
• Mya
• Myra
• Naila 
• Shaila 
• Sienna

Common Nicknames

Mila is a chic, no-fuss name that typically needs no nicknames. But, if you're looking for a few nicknames for your baby Mila some popular options include Mimi, Lala, and Mils. 

Suggested Sibling Names

Looking for a sibling name for Mila? Here are some popular options:

• Aiden
• Aria
• Avery
• Emma
• Finn
• James
• Julian
• Levi
• Liam
• Luca
• Martial
• Mason
• Matthew
• Maya
• Milo
• Olivia

Famous People Named Mila

If you’ve decided to name your baby Mila, here are some famous and inspiring people who will be sharing the name with your baby: 

• Mila Gojsalić, Croatian folk heroine
• Mila Hager, granddaughter of former President George W. Bush 
• Mila J, American singer, songwriter, and rapper 
• Milla Jovovich, American actress, model, and musician 
• Mila Kunis, American actress and producer 
• Mila Mason, American country music artist 
• Mila Nikolova, Bulgarian mathematician 

Mila is also a name that’s commonly used in works of fiction. Here are the most common movies and books in which Mila appears as a character: 

• Mila, a character in the game “Dead or Alive” 
• Mila, a character in the television series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"
• Mila, the main character in the Japanese anime "Mila Superstar"
• Mila, the main character in the children’s book "The Music of Dolphins" 
• Mila Babicheva, a character in the Japanese anime "Yuri on Ice"