Nyla

NIE-luh
Arabic, Sanskrit, Irish, modern invention
"winner, one who achieves; hero; cloud; wind, air; dark blue"

Nyla Origin and Meaning

The name Nyla is a girl's name of Arabic origin meaning "winner, one who achieves; hero; cloud; wind, air; dark blue".

Bright, spirited, and playful, Nyla shares sounds with the popular Isla, Lila, Layla, and Delilah, making it feel fresh and in style. A name with a number of possible origins, it made a brief, anomalous appearance on the US charts in 1941, before disappearing again for the next 60 years. It has been back in the US Top 1000 since 2001, and is currently on the rise, given to around 1230 girls each year.

One theory around Nyla's origin is that it derives from the Arabic name Naila - also spelled Nayla, Neyla, and Na'ila - giving it a meaning associated with ambition and success. While the traditional pronunciation would be na-EE-luh, Nyla could be an Anglicized interpretation. Another possibility is that Nyla is a feminine form of Niles, Neil, or Niall, meaning either "cloud" from the Old Irish nél or "hero; champion" from the Old Irish nia.

Anlla and Nila might provide another source of inspiration: both are Sanskrit and Hindi names meaning "wind, air" and "dark blue" respectively. Alternatively, Nyla may just be a modern creation, inspired by Kyla, Tyler, and Skyler.

Wherever it comes from, Nyla is now a well-established choice in the US and is equally on the rise in the UK, where it is in the Top 250.

Famous bearers of the name include Indian actress Nyla Usha and New Zealand long-distance runner Nyla Carroll.

# 250 in the US

Nyla Rank in US Top 1000

# 585 on Nameberry

Nyla Rank in Nameberry Top 1000

Nyla Popularity

Famous People Named Nyla

  • Nyla Usha
    Indian actress
  • Nyla (born Nailah Thorbourne)
    Jamaican singer
  • Nyla Jane Carroll
    New Zealand distance runner
  • Nyla Ali Khan
    Indian academic and author
  • Nyla Rae Lewis
    daughter of singer Aaron Lewis
  • Nyla Dourdan
    daughter of actor Gary Dourdan
  • Nyla Foley (b. 2013)
    daughter of TV journalist Cheryl Hickey and Kevin Foley
  • Nyla Everleigh Ward (b. 2013)
    daughter of ice hockey player Cam Ward

Nyla in Pop Culture

  • Nyla Adrose
    character in film "For Colored Girls"
  • Nylabone
    U.S. dog toy/treat company
  • Nyla French
    character on TV's "Recovery Road"