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Original poster

Lila a classic?

48 replies

nike0828 · 13/07/2021 11:44

Would you consider Lila/ Lilah (pronounced Lie-la with long i sound) to be a classic/ timeless name that could sound professional on an adult? We are considering Lila June. This feels like the most unusual name to us on our list because we typically like longer, traditional, feminine names like Emily, Natalie, Olivia, and Annelise. I think Lila sounds fresh, bright, and fun for a young girl that fits in well with other short popular names right now (Ella, Lily, Emma...) but I feel a little nervous using it for some reason. Any thoughts? I'm not too concerned about popularity and I'm in the U.S. if that matters.

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whatausername · 13/07/2021 12:20

It's not a classic, rather it's very trendy. However, it will suit a child and adult so sounds like Lila meets your criteria :)

hawkehurstgang · 13/07/2021 12:21

I don't think it's a classic but it's pretty. I'd be a little concerned that it might date a bit as (at least in the UK) it's gone from uncommon to popular fairly quickly. If you were in the UK I'd say it will blend into a sea of Lily/Lila/Lola/Lexi/Ella type names but I'm not sure if this is the case in America. It's very pretty and if it were still uncommon I'd like it much more but, at least in my hometown, there are several little Lilas hence why I'd be worried about the dating badly. Annalise (any spelling) is gorgeous, classy, and unusual. I'd choose this!

Concestor · 13/07/2021 12:21

I'm not a fan, I prefer Lilia (lily-a)

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 13/07/2021 12:55

It's not a classic imo - of the "L" names probably only Laura, Lydia, and maybe Lily/Lilian are (if you think of "'classics" as based on long term popular/regular usage, tend to make the classic name lists etc).

However Lila is pretty and suits both an adult and young girl and yes, sounds "professional" imo. It's slightly trendy at the moment in the UK (as well as similar Lyra and Lola - as people look for the "new" Lily possibly), but that won't matter if you are in the US.

RuthW · 13/07/2021 13:17

It's ok. There are loads Lola, Lara, Layla, Lyra etc at the moment.

Kanaloa · 13/07/2021 13:31

I wouldn’t say a classic but Lila June is a lovely name. I think of classics as names like Elizabeth, Anna, Maria, similar to the other names on your list. It’s a nice name anyway though.

AnnaSW1 · 13/07/2021 13:41

No

LewishamMum · 13/07/2021 14:47

I don't think it's classic, at least not in Britain.
I agree it's trendy - basically because of the Ferrante novels. Also if you spell it Lila, it will be pronounced Lila, and not as you want it pronounced.

CharlieBoo · 13/07/2021 14:56

Not a classic name, no

devildeepbluesea · 13/07/2021 14:59

I don't mind Lila pronounced like that. But every time I see it I think "Lill-Ah" because that's how my grandmother pronounced her name.

I still think it's lovely though.

GreyhoundG1rl · 13/07/2021 14:59

It's absolutely not a classic.

Marcipex · 13/07/2021 15:02

Not a classic, at least not in the UK. There are absolutely loads of girls called Lila/Layla/Lola/Lyra/Leela. I’d say it’s a fad and will date badly.

Mpsister · 13/07/2021 15:07

I don't think it's a classic, but it's lovely

ArsendLupin · 13/07/2021 15:12

No it's not classic. It's not my style at all, but it's not offensive.

Laura
Lucy
Lilian
Louise/a

Are all classic.

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 13/07/2021 15:17

I don’t think a classic but would see it as timeless as neither overly popular or not used over time.

I wouldn’t say Laura is a classic either. It has been out of the top 100 for a while.

Quisto · 13/07/2021 15:28

I know a Lila-May at Primary school. Lots of DS friends seem to be hyphenated Lily- something or Lacey-something or Ellie- something, usually May or Rose.

KirstenBlest · 13/07/2021 15:42

Definitely not a classic.
Yet another Lily, Lola, Lyra, Luna type name and also linked with Delilah
Likely to date badly.

Emily and Olivia are classic and timeless. Both currently very popular.

Natalie and Annelise are not classic in the UK

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 13/07/2021 15:45

Not a classic but a lovely name. My problem with it is that I see it as Leela pronunciation so I always have to do a double take on it. A friend has same spelling and it's pronounced Leela (Italian pronunciation).

Comedycook · 13/07/2021 15:46

It's really nice but it's not a classic

Granohlaa · 13/07/2021 15:47

My Great Grand Mother was Lila (pronounced Lill-ah). I like it but I’m worried it would get lost in a sea of Lilys and Lyras.

KirstenBlest · 13/07/2021 15:50

Laura is classic

Cinderella80 · 13/07/2021 15:54

No, what about Lilly, Lillian, Eliza?

Cinderella80 · 13/07/2021 15:56

@KirstenBlest

Laura is classic
Grin yes its up there with all the other 80s classics like Lisa, Linda, Donna, Karen.
HeyGirlHeyBoy · 13/07/2021 16:00

No I agree Laura is different to those. I agree it's a lovely name. I'd put Emma, Claire and Caroline in the same boat. Obsequious and of its time at one point, but a lovely name that stands the test of time also.

KirstenBlest · 13/07/2021 16:01

Laura has been around for centuries. It's the feminine equivalent of Laurence.

I doubt that many babies were called Linda, Lisa, Donna or Karen in the 1980s.