maila

Maila is a name used as a feminine given name in Finland and in other Nordic and European contexts. It can also appear as a common noun in Finnish, separate from any personal name usage.

In Finnish, maila denotes a sporting implement such as a bat or a stick used to strike a ball in games like pesäpallo (Finnish baseball) and other stick-based sports. As a common noun, it is not tied to a specific sport but describes the equipment involved in striking or hitting.

As a given name, Maila has been borne by several individuals, most notably Maila Nurmi, a Finnish-born American actress who is best known for creating the Vampira character. Nurmi’s work in television and film helped popularize the gothic horror persona in mid-20th-century American pop culture.

Beyond Finnish usage, the form Maila may appear in other languages and contexts as a personal name or toponym, though such uses are less standardized and vary by region. In many cases, it functions primarily as a proper noun rather than conveying a broader semantic meaning.

Overall, Maila is primarily recognized as a personal name with Finnish linguistic connections, and as a common noun for sports equipment in Finnish. Its significance in popular culture is largely tied to figures such as Maila Nurmi.