"night"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Leilah
Does Leilah flow with your last name?
Night-born beauty from the poetry of the East
Arabic
Persian
Swahili
Hebrew
Elegant
Spiritual
Classic
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"dark beauty, born at night"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Persian
"night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Leilah
Leilah is a variant of Layla or Leila, from the Arabic word for night. The name evokes darkness and nocturnal beauty, and is associated with the beloved in classical Arabic and Persian poetry. The legendary story of Layla and Majnun, the Arabic Romeo and Juliet, has spread the name across the Islamic world for over a millennium.
The name surged in the English-speaking world following Eric Clapton's 1970 song Layla, and has seen renewed popularity in the 2010s-2020s as parents seek names with both global appeal and poetic resonance.
In Arabic and Persian literature, Layla is the archetypal beloved. The tale of Layla and Majnun is one of the most famous love stories in Islamic culture, inspiring poetry from Nizami to Rumi.
Historical Record
Leilah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1970.
Over 4,080 babies have been named Leilah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leilah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,752 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Layla and Majnun is often called the Romeo and Juliet of the Arab world
- Eric Clapton named his famous 1970 song Layla after reading the story of Layla and Majnun
- The name appears in multiple forms across Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Swahili cultures
Leilah in Other Languages
Arabic
Layla
Hebrew
Lailah
Persian
Leila
Swahili
Leilah
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#1,752
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leilah
L
Layla Ali
Athlete
1977
Professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali
L
Layla (Layla and Majnun) Fictional
Other
The beloved in the classical Arabic and Persian tale of Layla and Majnun, the great romance of Islamic literature
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,752
- Total SSA Count
- 115
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Swahili Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lei
Lay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leilah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leilah
What does the name Leilah mean?
"night" (from Arabic). "dark beauty, born at night" (from Arabic). "night" (from Hebrew). Leilah is a variant of Layla or Leila, from the Arabic word for night. The name evokes darkness and nocturnal beauty, and is associated with the beloved in classical Arabic and Persian poetry. The legendary story of Layla and Majnun, the Arabic Romeo and Juliet, has spread the name across the Islamic world for over a millennium.
What is the origin of the name Leilah?
Leilah has Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and Swahili origins. In Arabic, it means "night". In Arabic, it means "dark beauty, born at night". In Hebrew, it means "night".
Is Leilah a boy or girl name?
Leilah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Leilah?
Leilah is currently ranked #1752 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leilah?
Common nicknames for Leilah include Lei and Lay.
What are good middle names for Leilah?
Popular middle name pairings include Leilah Rose, Leilah Grace, Leilah Marie, Leilah Joy, Leilah Pearl, and Leilah Simone.
What are good sibling names for Leilah?
Names that pair well with Leilah as siblings include Zara, Yasmin, Omar, Cyrus, Nadia, and Amir.
How many syllables does Leilah have?
Leilah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leilah a common or rare name?
Leilah is an uncommon name, ranked #1752 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leilah?
About the Name Leilah
Leilah is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Swahili, and Hebrew origins . The name means "night" in Arabic .
Leilah is currently ranked #1,752 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leilah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leilah include Lei and Lay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leilah include Leilani, Leila, Leilany, Leilanni, Leilanie . 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