Leela
Leela is a girl's name of Sanskrit origin.
Meaning
Divine play, illusion, or night.
Origin and history
Leela is a feminine name of Sanskrit origin meaning divine play or pastime. It is also found as a variant spelling of the Arabic name Lila, meaning night. In the United States, the name has seen steady, moderate growth in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
4,545 babies in the United States have been named Leela since 1880. It ranks #2597 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1155.
States where it is most popular
- CA (24.2 %)
- NY (12.4 %)
- TX (10.7 %)
- IL (6.3 %)
- FL (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 5 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 5 |
| 1920-1930 | 5 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 16 |
| 1950-1960 | 17 |
| 1960-1970 | 47 |
| 1970-1980 | 109 |
| 1980-1990 | 158 |
| 1990-2000 | 194 |
| 2000-2010 | 864 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,034 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,091 |
Famous people named Leela
- Leela Naidu: Actress, Model
- Leela James: Singer, Songwriter
Fun facts
- In Hindu theology, the word refers to the concept of the universe being created as a divine play of the gods.
- The name gained widespread pop culture recognition through the character Turanga Leela in the animated series Futurama.