Shakila as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Shakila

What is the meaning of the name Shakila ?

The baby name Shakila is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ʃəˈkiːlə/ (shah-KEE-lah).

Shakila is Arabic in Origin.

Shakila is a feminine given name with roots in Arabic, deriving from shakīla, the feminine of shakīl, meaning “well-formed, graceful, beautiful.” Through Persian and Urdu, it became established in South Asia, especially among Muslim communities in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, and it is also found in the Middle East and East Africa.

Usage rose in the 20th century, appearing in Urdu poetry and popular culture; notable bearers include a mid-century Hindi film actress Shakila and an Iranian-born singer Shakila, which circulated the name across diasporas. Variants include Shakeela, Shakilah, Shaqeela, and Shakela; related masculine forms are Shakeel/Shakil. The name carries connotations of elegance, good proportions, and inner poise, paralleling the Arabic noun shakl (“form”). Its approachable phonetics and cross-linguistic adaptability have helped it travel, while retaining a distinctly classical sensibility in Islamic naming traditions.