UK girl's name
Gila
A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "joy" or "happiness".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Gila is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Gila popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2010, with 7 births.
This profile covers 46 England and Wales registrations across 12 recorded years from 1996 to 2017. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 46 living people in the UK are called Gila. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Gila ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2010, when 7 girls were registered as Gila.
- • About 46 living people in the UK are estimated to have Gila as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2010
7 births
Estimated living
46
2026
Meaning
What does Gila mean?
The name Gila is believed to have its origins in the Hebrew language, deriving from the word "gilah," which means "joy" or "rejoicing." This suggests that the name was initially given to children as a symbol of happiness and celebration.
The earliest recorded usage of the name Gila can be traced back to ancient Jewish communities in the Middle East, particularly in Israel and the surrounding regions. It has been found in historical records and texts dating back to the biblical era, indicating its longstanding presence in Hebrew culture and tradition.
One notable historical figure bearing the name Gila was Gila of Ludmir, a prominent 18th-century Jewish mystic and kabbalist born in Ukraine. She was renowned for her spiritual teachings and writings, which influenced the Hasidic movement during her lifetime (1737-1792).
Another influential figure was Gila Almagor, an Israeli actress, and filmmaker born in 1939. She has had a prolific career spanning over six decades and has received numerous accolades for her contributions to Israeli cinema and theater.
In the realm of literature, Gila Almagor wrote an autobiographical novel titled "Summer Salt" in 1963, which explored themes of love, loss, and identity. This work gained critical acclaim and solidified her reputation as a talented writer.
Gila Svirsky is another notable individual, born in 1948. She is an Israeli activist and advocate for women's rights, peace, and social justice. Svirsky co-founded various organizations, including the Coalition of Women for Peace and Women in Black, and has been a prominent voice in the pursuit of conflict resolution and nonviolence.
In the field of sports, Gila Lustig, an Israeli tennis player born in 1963, achieved significant success. She represented Israel in numerous international tournaments, including the Olympics, and was ranked among the top 20 players in the world during her career.
These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have carried the name Gila, each leaving their mark in various fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and historical narratives associated with this name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Gila over time
The chart below shows babies named Gila registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Gila, the clearest high point is 2010. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Gila by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Gila was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4725 | 18 | 4 |
| 2000s | #4091 | 19 | 5 |
| 1990s | #3840 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Gila
- Grace 79,208
- Georgia 48,838
- Gracie 18,387
- Georgina 15,599
- Gabriella 10,902
- Gemma 8,350
- Gabrielle 7,154
- Georgie 4,883
- Gabriela 3,300
- Genevieve 2,393
- Gracie-Mae 1,727
- Greta 1,283
FAQ
Gila: questions and answers
How popular is the name Gila in the UK right now?
In 2017, Gila was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Gila most popular?
The peak year on record was 2010, with 7 babies registered as Gila in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Gila?
A feminine name of Hebrew origin meaning "joy" or "happiness".
How many people are called Gila in the UK?
A total of 46 babies have been registered as Gila across the 12 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.