Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Leella isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1915. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Leella through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 27
- 0 boys · 27 girls
- Most popular year
- 1920
- 6 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 2021. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Leella’s family of names
Leella may belong to the same name family as Leela. This is a tentative spelling connection.
The ring: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 1
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Similar names
If you love Leella, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Lela
“night” · “a beauty of the night; born at nightfall”
>99% girls
Leola
“one who is faithful; loyal” · “having the strength of a lion”
>99% girls
Lilla
Lilla is a variant of Lily. One English interpretation is “resembling the flower; one who is innocent and beautiful.”
>99% girls
Lelia
“a beauty of the night; born at nightfall”
>99% girls
Lovella
“having a soft spirit”
>99% girls
Levina
“resembling a lightning bolt”
>99% girls
Lula
“from the place of healing and miracles” · “a calm, peaceful woman”
>99% girls
Ola
“one who is precious” · “giver of life: well-being”
>99% girls