Leela

Meaning of Leela

Leela (LEE-luh) dances onto the tongue as easily as its Sanskrit roots suggest—“līlā” means “play, divine drama,” the joyous cosmic game the gods use to shape the universe. That buoyant meaning gives the name an effervescent charm, yet Leela also feels familiar to Western ears thanks to its cousin Lila and pop-culture nods like quick-witted space captain Turanga Leela from Futurama. In the U.S. it’s a quiet achiever: hovering in the 700–800 range for decades, edging higher every few years as parents discover its sparkle. Leela delivers a two-syllable melody that pairs effortlessly with longer surnames, offers the simple nickname Lee, and carries a dash of global flair without the passport paperwork. For families seeking a girl’s name that’s warm, spirited, and just uncommon enough to turn heads on the playground, Leela feels like a joyful wink from the universe—an invitation to see life itself as a bit of playful magic.