"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Lailah
Girl Name
#1,116 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
3 Syllables
A star-lit name of night and timeless romance
Arabic
Islamic
Jewish
American
Elegant
Romantic
Spiritual
Gentle
Literary
Meaning & Origin
"night angel"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Jewish
The Story of Lailah
Lailah is a variant spelling of Layla/Leila, derived from the Arabic and Hebrew word for 'night.' In Arabic poetry, Layla is the archetype of the beloved — most famously in the 7th-century story of Qays and Layla (the Arabic Romeo and Juliet). In Jewish mysticism, Lailah is a night angel who watches over conception and birth. The name carries both romantic and spiritual resonances across multiple traditions.
Layla and its variants surged in popularity in the 2010s, driven in part by Eric Clapton's iconic 1970 song 'Layla.' The variant spelling Lailah gives parents a unique take on the beloved name. Arabic and Islamic names have increasingly crossed into mainstream Western usage.
In Arabic literary tradition, Layla (and Lailah) represents the ideal of beautiful, unattainable love. In Jewish tradition, Lailah is an angel of the night associated with the creation of souls. The name holds deep spiritual significance in both traditions.
Fun Facts
- Layla was immortalized by the 7th-century Arabic love story of Qays and Layla — the Arabic Romeo and Juliet
- Eric Clapton's 1970 song 'Layla' brought the name to rock music fame
- In Jewish mysticism, Lailah is an angel who accompanies souls into the world at birth
Lailah in Other Languages
Arabic
ليلى
French
Laïla
Hebrew
לַיְלָה
Persian
لیلا
Spanish
Laila
Famous People Named Lailah
L
Laila Ali
Athlete
1977
American professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali, undefeated in her boxing career
L
Layla (Arabian legend) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the classic Arabic love story Qays and Layla, the archetype of the beloved in Arabic poetry
L
Laila Ahmadi Fictional
Other
Fictional Afghan-American character in 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #1,116
- Total SSA Count
- 219
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Islamic Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lai
Lala
Lily
Pairs Well With
Lailah Rose
Lailah Marie
Lailah Grace
Lailah Jade
Lailah Simone
Lailah Faith
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lailah
What does the name Lailah mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic). "night angel" (from Hebrew). Lailah is a variant spelling of Layla/Leila, derived from the Arabic and Hebrew word for 'night.' In Arabic poetry, Layla is the archetype of the beloved — most famously in the 7th-century story of Qays and Layla (the Arabic Romeo and Juliet). In Jewish mysticism, Lailah is a night angel who watches over conception and birth. The name carries both romantic and spiritual resonances across multiple traditions.
What is the origin of the name Lailah?
Lailah has Arabic, Hebrew, Islamic, Jewish, and American origins. In Arabic, it means "night, dark beauty". In Hebrew, it means "night angel".
Is Lailah a boy or girl name?
Lailah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Lailah?
Lailah is currently ranked #1116 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lailah?
Common nicknames for Lailah include Lai, Lala, and Lily.
What are good middle names for Lailah?
Popular middle name pairings include Lailah Rose, Lailah Marie, Lailah Grace, Lailah Jade, Lailah Simone, and Lailah Faith.
What are good sibling names for Lailah?
Names that pair well with Lailah as siblings include Zara, Amir, Yasmine, Khalil, Nadia, Elias, and Aaliyah.
How many syllables does Lailah have?
Lailah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Lailah a common or rare name?
Lailah is an uncommon name, ranked #1116 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Lailah
Lailah is a girl name with Arabic, Islamic, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic .
Lailah is currently ranked #1,116 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lailah has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Lailah include Lai, Lala, and Lily. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lailah include Laila, Lailani . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.