"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic layl
Language: Arabic
Lela
Pronunciation: [ l-EEL-uh ]
Does Lela flow with your last name?
A romantic Arabic name meaning night, immortalized in poetry
Arabic
Persian
Turkish
African American
English
Elegant
Classic
Gentle
Romantic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Lela
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"nocturnal, of the night"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Lela
Lela is a variant of Leila (also spelled Layla), from the Arabic layl, meaning night. The name evokes the beauty and mystery of the night sky. In Persian and Arabic poetry, Layla is the archetypal beloved — most famously in the legendary love story of Layla and Majnun, the Middle Eastern equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, written by Persian poet Nizami in 1188.
The name Layla and its variants have been popular across the Middle East for centuries and gained Western recognition through Eric Clapton's rock classic Layla (1970), which was inspired by the tale of Layla and Majnun. Lela as a spelling offers a softer, more simplified visual form.
In Arabic and Persian poetry, Layla represents the ideal of feminine beauty and the unattainable beloved. The story of Layla and Majnun has inspired poetry, art, and music across the Islamic world for 800 years.
Historical Record
Lela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,818 babies have been named Lela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lela is past its peak , currently ranked #2,191 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Layla and Majnun by Nizami Ganjavi (1188) is one of the great love stories of world literature, inspiring everything from Arabic poetry to Eric Clapton's hit song
- Layla/Lela has been one of the most popular names in the Arab world for centuries
Lela in Other Languages
Greek
Leila
Arabic
Leila
Hebrew
Leila
Persian
Leila
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#2,191
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lela
L
Leila Milani
Actor
1982
Canadian actress and model known for her television and film appearances
L
L
Layla (legendary figure) Fictional
Other
The beloved heroine of the 12th-century Persian epic Layla and Majnun by Nizami Ganjavi, the most celebrated love story ...
The beloved heroine of the 12th-century Persian epic Layla and Majnun by Nizami Ganjavi, the most celebrated love story in Eastern literature
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Compare Lela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,191
- Total SSA Count
- 86
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Turkish African American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lee
Lay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lela
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lela is also used as a boy name, ranked #19833.
View Lela as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Arabic)
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Greek origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lela
What does the name Lela mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic layl). "nocturnal, of the night" (from Arabic). Lela is a variant of Leila (also spelled Layla), from the Arabic layl, meaning night. The name evokes the beauty and mystery of the night sky. In Persian and Arabic poetry, Layla is the archetypal beloved — most famously in the legendary love story of Layla and Majnun, the Middle Eastern equivalent of Romeo and Juliet, written by Persian poet Nizami in 1188.
What is the origin of the name Lela?
Lela has Arabic layl, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, African American, and English origins. In Arabic layl, it means "night, dark beauty". In Arabic, it means "nocturnal, of the night".
Is Lela a boy or girl name?
Lela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2191. As a boy name, it is ranked #19833. Lela is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lela?
Lela is pronounced l-EEL-uh.
How popular is the name Lela?
Lela is currently ranked #2191 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lela?
Common nicknames for Lela include Lee and Lay.
What are good middle names for Lela?
Popular middle name pairings include Lela Rose, Lela Marie, Lela Grace, Lela Jane, Lela Noelle, and Lela Simone.
What are good sibling names for Lela?
Names that pair well with Lela as siblings include Layla, Nadia, Sana, Rania, Tariq, and Amir.
How many syllables does Lela have?
Lela has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lela a common or rare name?
Lela is an uncommon name, ranked #2191 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Lela?
Are there other spellings for Lela?
Related spellings include Lelani.
About the Name Lela
Lela is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Turkish, African American, and English origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic layl .
Is Lela a boy or girl name? Lela is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,191 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,833. Lela is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lela is currently ranked #2,191 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lela has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EEL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lela include Lee and Lay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lela include Lelani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis