"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic layl meaning night
Language: Arabic
Layla
Pronunciation: [ l-AYL-ah ]
Does Layla flow with your last name?
From ancient Arabic poetry to Eric Clapton's greatest love song
Arabic
Persian
Hebrew
English
Romantic
Elegant
Bold
Literary
Earthy
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Layla
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Layla
Layla comes from the Arabic 'layl' meaning 'night.' In Arabic poetry, the name gained immortal status through the story of Layla and Majnun — the Middle Eastern equivalent of Romeo and Juliet — in which the poet Qays falls hopelessly in love with Layla but is forbidden from marrying her. This 7th-century tale became one of the most retold love stories in world literature, inspiring works from Rumi to Eric Clapton.
Layla has been climbing rapidly in the US, entering the top 30 by 2010 and the top 20 by 2020. Eric Clapton's 1970 rock classic 'Layla' — written about his unrequited love for Pattie Boyd — introduced the name to Western audiences. Its melodic sound and romantic associations have made it one of the fastest-rising names of the 21st century.
Layla is celebrated across Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Turkish literature as the archetypal beloved — the perfect, unattainable woman who inspires great poetry. Rumi's Masnavi includes the Layla and Majnun story as an allegory for the soul's longing for divine union. The name carries centuries of romantic and mystical significance.
Historical Record
Layla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 123,729 babies have been named Layla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Layla is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #37 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Eric Clapton's 'Layla' (1970) was written about his love for Pattie Boyd, who was George Harrison's wife at the time
- Layla and Majnun is one of the oldest love stories in world literature, predating Romeo and Juliet by nearly 1,000 years
Layla in Other Languages
Urdu
Layla
Arabic
Layla
Hebrew
Laylah
Persian
Leila
Spanish
Layla
Popularity Over Time
#37
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Layla
L
Layla El
Entertainer
1986
British professional wrestler and former WWE Divas Champion
L
Layla Kayleigh
Entertainer
1981
British television presenter and media personality
L
Laila Ali
Athlete
1977
American undefeated boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali
L
Layla Ali
Athlete
1977
American professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali, retired undefeated with a 24-0 record
L
Layla (Layla and Majnun) Fictional
Other
The beloved in the Layla and Majnun story, one of the great love narratives of world literature
L
Layla Hassan Fictional
Other
Character in the Assassin's Creed video game series who serves as a modern-day protagonist across multiple titles
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Compare Layla with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #37
- Total SSA Count
- 5,305
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Hebrew English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Lay
Layla
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 2-1 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, 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, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Layla
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Layla is also used as a boy name, ranked #15850.
View Layla as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Arabic)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Layla
What does the name Layla mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic layl meaning night). "night, dark beauty" (from Arabic). "night" (from Hebrew). Layla comes from the Arabic 'layl' meaning 'night.' In Arabic poetry, the name gained immortal status through the story of Layla and Majnun — the Middle Eastern equivalent of Romeo and Juliet — in which the poet Qays falls hopelessly in love with Layla but is forbidden from marrying her. This 7th-century tale became one of the most retold love stories in world literature, inspiring works from Rumi to Eric Clapton.
What is the origin of the name Layla?
Layla has Arabic layl meaning night, Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and English origins. In Arabic layl meaning night, it means "night, dark beauty". In Arabic, it means "night, dark beauty". In Hebrew, it means "night".
Is Layla a boy or girl name?
Layla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #37. As a boy name, it is ranked #15850. Layla is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Layla?
Layla is pronounced l-AYL-ah.
How popular is the name Layla?
Layla is currently ranked #37 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Layla?
Common nicknames for Layla include Lay and Layla.
What are good middle names for Layla?
Popular middle name pairings include Layla Rose, Layla Grace, Layla Mae, Layla Jean, Layla Anne, and Layla Claire.
What are good sibling names for Layla?
Names that pair well with Layla as siblings include Zara, Sofia, Omar, Cyrus, Nadia, and Leila.
How many syllables does Layla have?
Layla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Layla a common or rare name?
Layla is a very popular name, ranked #37 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Layla?
About the Name Layla
Layla is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and English origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic layl meaning night .
Is Layla a boy or girl name? Layla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #37 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #15,850. Layla is more commonly used as a girl name.
Layla is currently ranked #37 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Layla has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-AYL-ah, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Layla include Lay and Layla. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Layla include Laylani, Laylah, Laylin, Layloni . 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