Smilla
Fact sheet
- Name
- Smilla
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 2
Smilla is a Danish girl's name that originates from Swedish and was coined by the Danish author Peter Høeg. Metaphorically, the name means 'the smiling one', 'the humming one' ('the one that hums') or 'the little humming one'.
What does the name Smilla mean?
The name Smilla, a Danish girl's name of Swedish origin, became known through the writer Peter Høeg. It metaphorically means 'the smiling one', 'the humming one' ('the one that hums') or 'the little humming one'. The roots of the name can be found in the Danish word smile, which means 'to smile', as well as in the word mild, which means 'mild', and in the Greenlandic millalaarpoq, which means 'the humming of an insect'. Variants of the name include Miillaaraq (the Greenlandic original form), Smillaaraq, and Smila (Swedish). The name became famous through the novel 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow'.
Where does the name Smilla come from?
The origin of the name Smilla is Greenlandic and Aleut. It means 'the smiling one' or 'the humming one'. It derives from the Greenlandic word millalaarpoq, which means 'the humming of an insect', as well as the Danish smile for 'to smile' and mild for 'mild'. It is used in the Danish and Scandinavian languages.
How do you pronounce Smilla?
The name Smilla is two syllables and has a distinctive structure. It is usually pronounced as 'Smil-la' [ˈsmɪla] and begins with a consonant cluster that gives the name a certain uniqueness. The short I sound adds a fresh note, while the open ending '-a' sounds soft. Smilla conveys a Nordic and lively impression and is a name with clear contours and a modern aura.
Popularity
In Germany, Smilla is a widely used first name, currently ranking 291st on the list of the most common female baby names. The name reached its highest position in 2018 at 175th place. Over the last ten years, Smilla has been given as a first name approximately 2,400 times, placing it 266th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 269th.
Nicknames & pet names
Mila / Milla / Millchen / Milly / Schmille / Smi / Smika / Smil / Smile / Smiley / Smilie / Smiling / Smilka / Smill / Smillchen / Smille / Smillhouse / Smilli / Smilli-Vanilli / Smillie / Smillowitsch / Smillsmill / Smillson / Smilly / Smily / Smim / Smleka / Smlewa / Smulchi / Smulli / Smyl / Smyle
Similar first names
Famous people
- Smilla the Wolf (One of 5 wolf sisters at the Bielefeld Zoo)
- Smilla Jaspersen (Main character from 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow' by Peter Hoeg)
- Smilla Luuk (Swedish author)
Frequently asked questions about the name Smilla
What does the name Smilla mean?
The name Smilla comes from Danish and has Swedish roots. It is often translated as 'the smiling one' or 'the humming one' and derives from the Danish word 'smile', which means 'to smile'.
Where does the name Smilla come from?
Smilla has its roots in the Greenlandic and Aleut languages. In particular, the Greenlandic word 'millalaarpoq', which means 'the humming of an insect', contributes to the origin of the name.
How popular is the name Smilla?
Smilla enjoys great popularity in Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. The name became particularly known through the novel 'Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow' by Peter Høeg.