Mila

Quick Facts on Mila

Gender:
Girl
Origin:
Slavic
Number of syllables:
2
Ranking popularity:
78

Pronunciation:

MEE-lə

Simple meaning:

Gracious, dear

Characteristics of Mila

Authoritative
Powerful
Tough
Tenacious
Wealthy
Problem-solver
Achiever

Mila has not been a typically used independently given name among English speakers until very recently. The name Mila is a diminutive of any Slavic name containing the “mil” element, meaning ‘gracious, dear’. For instance, two famous Mil(l)as in the United States are the much admired actress Mila Kunis (born Milena Kunis in the Ukraine) and former supermodel turned actress Milla Jovovich (born Milica Jovović of Russian-Serbian descent). Mila is actually a pet form of other Slavic names including Milena, Milica and Milan. Mila is sometimes connected with the Spanish female name Milagros which means ‘miracles’ or it could also be considered a pet form of Camilla (meaning ‘an attendant in religious rituals’ from Old Latin). For the most part, however, Mila is generally considered a short form of various Slavic female names as mentioned above. Mila is currently most popular in the Netherlands and Slovenia. But it is also on the Top 100 lists in the nations of Canada, France, Belgium and Croatia. Whereas Milena is quite popular in Poland.

Aside from one random small blip in 1881, the name Mila has not existed on the female naming charts in America until 2006. We’re pretty certain this particular name has been influenced by the rising fame of Mila Kunis, an actress who is both pretty and talented. The name first appeared in 2006, the year “That 70s Show” was wrapping up its final season. Quickly thereafter Mila got another big push up the charts between 2008 and 2010 during which time the actress starred in “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” (2008) quickly followed by the award-winning film “Black Swan” (2010). One of the finest actors to emerge from Hollywood, Karl Malden, who was Serbian by descent named his daughter Mila (but that was a long time ago). The name is simple and pretty and a good choice for parents of Slavic origins.