"wine, intoxication (poetic)"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Laela
Does Laela flow with your last name?
The legendary Arabic name meaning night beauty
Arabic
Persian
Muslim
Hebrew
English
Elegant
Romantic
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Laela
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Laela
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Laela
See all →What the Laela report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Laela the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Laela
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Laela head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Laela actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Laela
Laela is a variant spelling of Layla, one of the most celebrated names in Arabic literature. From the Arabic layl meaning night, the name carries the romantic imagery of dark beauty and mysterious allure. The legendary love story of Qais and Layla (comparable to Romeo and Juliet in Arabic culture) has made this name a symbol of eternal love for over a thousand years.
Layla and its variants have surged in popularity in Western countries, consistently ranking in the top 20 girls names in the US and UK. Eric Clapton's 1970 rock anthem Layla brought huge visibility, and the Arabic literary tradition adds depth. The Laela spelling gives a distinctive personal touch.
In Arabic and Persian literature, Layla is the archetypal beloved — appearing in classic works by Nizami, Rumi, and countless others. The name carries centuries of romantic and mystical poetry.
Historical Record
Laela first appeared in US Social Security records in 1972.
Over 1,662 babies have been named Laela in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Laela is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,836 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The love story of Layla and Majnun is considered one of the greatest love stories in Arabic literature, predating Romeo and Juliet by centuries
- Eric Clapton wrote the 1970 rock classic Layla after reading a translation of the Layla and Majnun legend
- The name Layla appears in multiple religious traditions including Islam, Judaism, and pre-Islamic Arabian mythology
Laela in Other Languages
Urdu
Laila
Arabic
Layla
Hebrew
Leila
Persian
Leila
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#3,836
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Laela
L
Layla Al-Akhyaliyya
Writer
7th century Arabic poet considered one of the most important female poets in classical Arabic literature
L
Layla (Layla and Majnun) Fictional
Other
The beloved heroine of the ancient Arabic epic Layla and Majnun, a symbol of unattainable love in Arabic and Persian poe...
The beloved heroine of the ancient Arabic epic Layla and Majnun, a symbol of unattainable love in Arabic and Persian poetry
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Leeann
Girl
"graceful clearing"
#3,742
Emeli
Girl
"rival, eager to excel, industrious"
#3,848
Gizelle
Girl
"hostage of good faith"
#3,763
Zorah
Girl
"flower, brightness"
#3,962
Ainslee
Girl
"one's own meadow, solitary clearing"
#3,715
Compare Laela with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #3,836
- Total SSA Count
- 39
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Muslim Hebrew English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lae
Laeli
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Laela
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Laela fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Laela →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Laela with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Laela
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Laela and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Laela sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Leeann
Girl
Old English origin
"graceful clearing"
#3,742 in US
Emeli
Girl
Latin origin
"rival, eager to excel, industrious"
#3,848 in US
Gizelle
Girl
Old High German origin
"hostage of good faith"
#3,763 in US
Zorah
Girl
Arabic (zahra) origin
"flower, brightness"
#3,962 in US
Ainslee
Girl
Old English origin
"one's own meadow, solitary clearing"
#3,715 in US
Maja
Girl
Hebrew via Maria (Slavic) origin
"beloved, sea of bitterness"
#3,976 in US
Esmee
Girl
Old French origin
"beloved, to love"
#3,736 in US
Aisley
Girl
Old English origin
"ash tree clearing"
#3,663 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Laela's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Laela
What does the name Laela mean?
"wine, intoxication (poetic)" (from Arabic). Laela is a variant spelling of Layla, one of the most celebrated names in Arabic literature. From the Arabic layl meaning night, the name carries the romantic imagery of dark beauty and mysterious allure. The legendary love story of Qais and Layla (comparable to Romeo and Juliet in Arabic culture) has made this name a symbol of eternal love for over a thousand years.
What is the origin of the name Laela?
Laela has Arabic, Persian, Muslim, Hebrew, and English origins. In Arabic, it means "wine, intoxication (poetic)".
Is Laela a boy or girl name?
Laela is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Laela?
Laela is currently ranked #3836 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Laela?
Common nicknames for Laela include Lae and Laeli.
What are good middle names for Laela?
Popular middle name pairings include Laela Rose, Laela Grace, Laela Marie, Laela Amina, and Laela Noor.
What are good sibling names for Laela?
Names that pair well with Laela as siblings include Nora, Amara, Zara, Yasmin, and Rania.
How many syllables does Laela have?
Laela has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Laela a common or rare name?
Laela is an uncommon name, ranked #3836 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Laela?
About the Name Laela
Laela is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Muslim, Hebrew, and English origins . The name means "wine, intoxication (poetic)" in Arabic .
Laela is currently ranked #3,836 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Laela has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Laela include Lae and Laeli. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Laela include Lael, Laelynn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Arabic Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More girl names like Laela
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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