"night, dark beauty"
Lailah
Does Lailah flow with your last name?
A star-lit name of night and timeless romance
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Lailah
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Meaning & Origin
"night angel"
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Browse nicknames →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.
Historical Record
Lailah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1981.
Over 6,767 babies have been named Lailah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lailah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,116 for girl names in the US .
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
Popularity Over Time
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lailah
Laila Ali
Athlete
1977
American professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali, undefeated in her boxing career
Layla (Arabian legend) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the classic Arabic love story Qays and Layla, the archetype of the beloved in Arabic poetry
Laila Ahmadi Fictional
Other
Fictional Afghan-American character in 'A Thousand Splendid Suns' by Khaled Hosseini
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See all →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
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lailah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Compare Lailah with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lailah
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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.
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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