Leela
Meaningdivine play · Sanskrit
Leela is an Indian girl name meaning “divine play”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Leela has the name Lee hiding inside it.
- GenerationLeela peaked in 2013, which makes it a Gen Alpha name. The typical Leela you'd meet today is about 12 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Leela would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 9,183 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryLeela first shows up in US birth records in 1898, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 127 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Leelas? Head to New Jersey, where it's the #774 girl name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million girls, 1898–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Leela
Leela is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “divine play”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 2010s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Leela
What does the name Leela mean?
Leela means “divine play” and comes from Sanskrit. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Diana (“divine”), Astrid (“divine beauty”), Dayana (“divine”) and Dev (“god, divine”).
What is the origin of the name Leela?
Leela is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Leela a boy or girl name?
Leela is a girl name. In 2025, 175 US girls were named Leela.
How popular is the name Leela?
Leela ranked #1,279 for US girls in 2025, given to 175 babies. Its best year was 2013, when it reached #1,086. Over the last five years it has slipped 85 places.
What names are similar to Leela?
If you like Leela, you might also like Diana, Astrid, Dayana and Dev.
What should I know before naming my baby Leela?
Leela is an Indian girl name meaning “divine play”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.