Eila is a female given name used primarily in Finland, whose exact origin is uncertain. It is possibly a variant of Aila, itself a Finnish form of the Sami name Áile, ultimately derived from Helga (meaning 'holy'). Another possible source is as a rare Norwegian diminutive of Elin, a form of Helen. The name may also have been influenced by the English name Eileen.
Eila was popularized in Finland through the novel Tuskaa ('Agony', 1907) by the Finnish author Väinö Kataja, who used it for a character. This literary exposure likely contributed to its rise in popularity, as Eila became fairly common in Finland during the first half of the 20th century, particularly from the 1920s to the 1940s. According to recent statistics, Eila is the 39th most common female given name in Finland, borne by 15,765 women, and also used as a middle name by 2,508 individuals.
The name's pronunciation in Finnish is ['ei̯lɑ], rhyming with keila.
Notable Bearers
- Eila Hiltunen (1922–2003), Finnish sculptor
- Eila Kinnunen (1922–2015), Finnish politician
- Eila Roine (1930–2020), Finnish actress
Etymology and Variants
The etymology of Eila remains debated. It may be connected to the Scandinavian short form Eili or the English Eileen. Nevertheless, its clearest documented revitalization is through Kataja's novel, which cemented its association with Finnish culture. Related names include the Finnish Aila, Elin, and the Sami Áile.
- Meaning: uncertain; possibly 'holy' (via Helga) or 'torch' (via Helen)
- Origin: Finnish, possibly Scandinavian or Sami roots
- Usage: primarily Finland, also Norwegian
User Submissions
Sources: Wiktionary — Eila