Vilas
Primarily a boy's name of Sanskrit origin with 493 recorded births. Also given to 14 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A surname.
Vilas is a boy's and girl's baby name of Sanskrit origin, from the Sanskrit vilāsa meaning 'charm,' 'elegance,' or 'sporting pleasure.' It is also a Czech and Slovak surname occasionally used as a given name in Eastern European communities.
Vilas appears in American records primarily among families of South Asian and Eastern European descent. In India it is used as a given name conveying grace and refined pleasure. William Freeman Vilas, a 19th-century Wisconsin senator, helped popularize the surname in American historical consciousness.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Vilas is rooted in the Sanskrit tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1913 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Vilas’s rarity (493 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Vilas has 36+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1913.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | — |
| 1950s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 45 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 106 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 196 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 130 | — |
The Story of Vilas
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1917, Vilas is a name steeped in history. Boys named Vilas are most likely born between 1913 and 1927.
How rare is Vilas?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Vilas is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1913, peaked in the 1920s with 196 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Vilas by the numbers
- Would fill 10 school buses
- Meeting one Vilas per day would take 1.4 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(36 years, 1913–1983)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 6 | #6201 |
| 1978 | 5 | #6726 |
| 1952 | 5 | #4234 |
| 1948 | 5 | #4177 |
| 1946 | 8 | #2909 |
| 1945 | 9 | #2568 |
| 1942 | 11 | #2381 |
| 1941 | 6 | #3490 |
| 1940 | 6 | #3446 |
| 1939 | 8 | #2818 |
| 1938 | 10 | #2474 |
| 1937 | 6 | #3501 |
| 1936 | 13 | #2055 |
| 1935 | 10 | #2523 |
| 1934 | 6 | #3661 |
| 1933 | 10 | #2531 |
| 1932 | 14 | #2091 |
| 1931 | 15 | #1997 |
| 1930 | 14 | #2171 |
| 1929 | 13 | #2314 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Vilas as a Girl's Name
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Vilas has also been given to 14 girls in the U.S. since 1914.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vilas a boy's or girl's name?
When was Vilas most popular?
How popular is the name Vilas?
Can Vilas be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1913–1983