Smilla
Girl NameSmilla: a female name of Old English (Anglo-saxon) origin meaning "Danish author Peter Høeg invented this name (for the heroine of his 1992 novel “Smilla's Sense of Snow”), derived from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) “smerian”, meaning “to laugh at”, which in turn derives from Old High German “smieron”, meaning “to smile”". It derives from the Old English (Anglo-saxon) word "smieron > smerian".
Smilla has maintained its appeal as a feminine name in modern times while preserving its Old English (Anglo-saxon) roots. Today, parents are drawn to its meaningful essence of "Danish author Peter Høeg invented this name (for the heroine of his 1992 novel “Smilla's Sense of Snow”), derived from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) “smerian”, meaning “to laugh at”, which in turn derives from Old High German “smieron”, meaning “to smile”" and its cultural richness. This name bridges traditional heritage with contemporary naming trends.
Quick Facts About Smilla
| Origin | Old English (Anglo-saxon), Germanic |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl name |
| Popularity | Moderately popular |
Researched by Name Doctor Linguistics Team
Our names are verified by professional linguists with expertise in etymology and cultural naming traditions.
Last reviewed: November 2025
Danish author Peter Høeg invented this name (for the heroine of his 1992 novel “Smilla's Sense of Snow”), derived from the Old English (Anglo-Saxon) “smerian”, meaning “to laugh at”, which in turn derives from Old High German “smieron”, meaning “to smile”.
Name Root
smieron > smerian
How to Pronounce Smilla
Smilla is pronounced /ˈsmɪl.ə/(English)
Step-by-step pronunciation guide:
- Break it into syllables: Smi-lla
- Say it like: "SMI-LLA"
- Practice saying it naturally a few times
Pronunciation verified by linguistic sources
Usage & Popularity
Smilla is predominantly used in english speaking communities, where it maintains strong cultural connections and traditional significance.
What does the name Smilla mean?
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Sources: Etymology verified through linguistic research including Oxford Dictionary of First Names, Behind the Name, and academic etymology databases.