shaila

Shaila is a feminine given name of Indian origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word śailā, meaning mountain or hill. The name is commonly associated with natural features, strength, and serenity, and it is used across several South Asian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Kannada, and Tamil. In transliteration, it is sometimes written as Shailā to indicate a long vowel.

In Hindu and Buddhist contexts, mountains are symbolic of permanence and the abode of deities, which can confer a sense of dignity to the name. The form Shaila appears both as a standalone name and as part of compound names in various communities. It is also encountered among Indian diaspora communities around the world, where it may be chosen for its cultural resonance or familial or religious significance.

Variants and related names include Shail, Shaila, Shailendra (meaning 'king of mountains'), Shailaja (born from the mountains, a name associated with goddess Parvati), and Shayla in some Western contexts where it is used as a feminine given name.

In summary, Shaila is a Sanskrit-derived feminine given name connected with mountains and nature, widely used in Indian languages and communities with diaspora ties, reflecting cultural associations with strength, stability, and natural beauty.