"gracious, dear, beloved (Slavic root 'mil')"
Origin: Slavic
Language: English
Milla
Does Milla flow with your last name?
A graceful Slavic gem—short, sweet, and internationally beloved
Slavic
Scandinavian
Russian
Serbian
Croatian
German
English
Elegant
Modern
Gentle
Minimalist
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"rival, emulator (via Camilla/Aemilia)"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
"hardworking, industrious (via Millicent)"
Origin: Old German/Hebrew
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
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The Story of Milla
Milla functions beautifully as a standalone name with multiple origins. In Slavic languages, Milla is a short form of names like Ludmila (people's grace), Camilla, or Miroslava. In Latin-rooted languages, it connects to Camilla, the legendary Volscian warrior queen in Virgil's Aeneid who was so fleet-footed she could run across water without breaking the surface. In Hebrew tradition, 'Milla' has been used as a short form of Millicent (hardworking). The distinctive double 'l' spelling—versus the single-l Mila—gives it a Nordic and Eastern European character.
Milla gained considerable global recognition through actress Milla Jovovich, the Ukrainian-American model and actress who starred in 'The Fifth Element' (1997) and the 'Resident Evil' franchise. The single-syllable version Mila surged to top-10 status in the 2010s largely thanks to actress Mila Kunis, and Milla has followed closely.
In Slavic cultures, names beginning with 'Mil-' (from the root meaning 'gracious, dear, beloved') form a large family of related names. Milla thus connects to a rich Slavic naming heritage while also functioning perfectly as a contemporary international name—short, melodic, and easily pronounced in virtually every language.
Historical Record
Milla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 2,025 babies have been named Milla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Milla is past its peak , currently ranked #4,199 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Milla Jovovich was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and became one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses
- Milla is consistently a top-20 name in Sweden and Finland
- The Slavic root 'mil' (dear, beloved) is found in over 100 different Slavic names
Milla in Other Languages
German
Milla
Finnish
Milla
Russian
Милла
Serbian
Мила
Swedish
Milla
Ukrainian
Мілла
Popularity Over Time
#4,199
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2011
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Milla
M
Milla Jovovich
Actor
1975
Ukrainian-American actress, model, and musician, known for 'The Fifth Element' (1997) and the 'Resident Evil' franchise
M
Milla Bäckman
Musician
Swedish pop musician known for her work in Scandinavian music
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Compare Milla with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,199
- Total SSA Count
- 34
- Cultural Origins
- Slavic Scandinavian Russian Serbian Croatian German English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mil
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Milla
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Slavic)
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Old Norse origin
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Proto-Germanic (aþalaz) origin
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French origin
"feminine form of Simon"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Milla
What does the name Milla mean?
"gracious, dear, beloved (Slavic root 'mil')" (from Slavic). "rival, emulator (via Camilla/Aemilia)" (from Latin). "hardworking, industrious (via Millicent)" (from Old German/Hebrew). Milla functions beautifully as a standalone name with multiple origins. In Slavic languages, Milla is a short form of names like Ludmila (people's grace), Camilla, or Miroslava. In Latin-rooted languages, it connects to Camilla, the legendary Volscian warrior queen in Virgil's Aeneid who was so fleet-footed she could run across water without breaking the surface. In Hebrew tradition, 'Milla' has been used as a short form of Millicent (hardworking). The distinctive double 'l' spelling—versus the single-l Mila—gives it a Nordic and Eastern European character.
What is the origin of the name Milla?
Milla has Slavic, Latin, Old German/Hebrew, Scandinavian, Russian, Serbian, Croatian, German, and English origins. In Slavic, it means "gracious, dear, beloved (Slavic root 'mil')". In Latin, it means "rival, emulator (via Camilla/Aemilia)". In Old German/Hebrew, it means "hardworking, industrious (via Millicent)".
Is Milla a boy or girl name?
Milla is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Milla?
Milla is currently ranked #4199 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Milla?
Common nicknames for Milla include Mil.
What are good middle names for Milla?
Popular middle name pairings include Milla Rose, Milla Grace, Milla Claire, Milla Jean, Milla Elise, Milla Sofia, and Milla Jade.
What are good sibling names for Milla?
Names that pair well with Milla as siblings include Anya, Sasha, Lara, Vera, Nadia, Igor, Dmitri, and Zara.
How many syllables does Milla have?
Milla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Milla a common or rare name?
Milla is an uncommon name, ranked #4199 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Milla?
About the Name Milla
Milla is a girl name with Slavic, Scandinavian, Russian, Serbian, Croatian, German, and English origins . The name means "gracious, dear, beloved (Slavic root 'mil')" in Slavic .
Milla is currently ranked #4,199 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Milla has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Milla include Mil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Milla include Millie, Miller, Millicent, Milly, Milliana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis