Leela

“Play, or divine play” — Sanskrit origin

Girl's name · #1279 in the US (2025) · 2010s

Leela has appeared in US records since 1898 — best rank #1086 (2013) · 4,545 babies named Leela all-time · 1 in 9,100 girls born in 2025.

Around the world: about 1 in 5,000 girls in England & Wales (2025) · about 1 in 11,000 girls in Canada (2024) · about 1 in 17,000 girls in Switzerland (2024).

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 18 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Famous Leelas

Leela Chitnis — Indian actress (1909-2003)
Leela Majumdar — Indian author of children's books (1908–2007)
Leela Naidu — Indian actress (1940–2009)
Leela Roy — Indian independence activist and politician
Leela Mishra — Indian actress

In stories & tradition

Leela — Futurama · Möbius Dick

What Leelas become

Among 54 notable people named Leela:

Entertainers appear 2.03× more often than among typical names — e.g. Leela Chitnis, Indian actress (1909-2003).

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.