Neela
- Meaning
- Dark blue
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What does Neela mean?
Neela means “Dark blue”.
Neela is a spelling of Nila, from Sanskrit nīla, a word associated with dark blue. “Sapphire blue” is an attractive interpretation of the color, but the underlying word is broader than the gemstone itself. The double e makes the long vowel more apparent to many English readers while preserving the same basic name family.
The Sanskrit color word appears in compounds describing blue flowers, dark clouds, and indigo shades, giving Neela a rich color vocabulary behind its simple form. Its linguistic roots also explain why it is encountered beyond India in communities with South Asian heritage. Nila is the closest spelling to compare when choosing a written form.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Neela?
United States · 2025Explore how often Neela is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #3,332 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Neela
- 47 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 13.0% Fewer than 2024
Neela over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | #3,332 | 47 |
| 2024 | Girls | #3,039 | 54 |
| 2023 | Girls | #3,565 | 44 |
| 2022 | Girls | #3,582 | 44 |
| 2021 | Girls | #4,069 | 36 |
| 2020 | Girls | #3,484 | 44 |
| 2019 | Girls | #3,122 | 52 |
| 2018 | Girls | #3,037 | 54 |
| 2017 | Girls | #3,335 | 48 |
| 2016 | Girls | #5,092 | 27 |
| 2015 | Girls | #2,959 | 59 |
| 2014 | Girls | #3,102 | 54 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Neela
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Nila
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Dark blue in Sanskrit; moon in Tamil
Listed as a related name to Neela.
Maya
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Illusion or magic (Sanskrit); other meanings vary by tradition
Shares an origin with Neela.
Amara
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Grace in Igbo; immortal in Sanskrit
Shares an origin with Neela.
Arya
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Noble
Shares an origin with Neela.
Lila
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Night in one tradition; play in Sanskrit
Shares an origin with Neela.
Milan
Unisex- Meaning
- Dear in Slavic tradition; other origins differ
Shares an origin with Neela.
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