"night"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Laylah
Does Laylah flow with your last name?
A thousand-year-old love poem distilled into two syllables
Arabic
Hebrew
Persian
American
Elegant
Gentle
Whimsical
Literary
Vintage
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Laylah
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"nocturnal, daughter of the night"
Origin: Arabic poetic
Language: Arabic
"dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic cultural meaning
Language: Arabic
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The Story of Laylah
Laylah is a variant spelling of Layla, from the Arabic 'layl' meaning night. In Arab poetry, Layla is one of the most romantic names imaginable — the beloved in the legend of Qays and Layla (equivalent to Romeo and Juliet in Arabic literature), where Qays goes mad with love for Layla and is called Majnun (the mad one). The name carries centuries of romantic and poetic weight across Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literary traditions.
The name has surged in English-speaking countries, especially after Eric Clapton's iconic 1970 song Layla (inspired by the Majnun legend) embedded it in rock music history. Various spellings — Layla, Leila, Leilah, Laylah — have all benefited from the trend toward Arabic and Middle Eastern names in Western naming culture.
In Arabic and Persian literature, Layla is the archetypal beloved — her name is invoked whenever poets speak of unattainable, perfect love. The 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi's Layla and Majnun is one of the great romantic epics of world literature. Eric Clapton wrote his famous song inspired by the same legend after reading a translation of the Persian poem.
Historical Record
Laylah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1975.
Over 7,116 babies have been named Laylah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Laylah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #1,059 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Eric Clapton wrote Layla (1970) after reading the 12th-century Persian poem Layla and Majnun by Nizami, inspired by his love for Pattie Boyd
- The legend of Layla and Majnun predates Romeo and Juliet by over 400 years and influenced Shakespeare's story
- Layla is one of the most common girls' names across the Arab world and diaspora communities, with dozens of spelling variations
Laylah in Other Languages
Urdu
لیلیٰ
Arabic
ليلى
Hebrew
לילה
Persian
لیلا
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#1,059
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Laylah
L
Layla El
Athlete
1977
British professional wrestler who competed in WWE and became the first British Divas Champion
L
Leila Hatami
Actor
1972
Iranian actress who won international acclaim for her role in A Separation (2011), winner of the Academy Award for Best ...
Iranian actress who won international acclaim for her role in A Separation (2011), winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
L
Layla (legendary) Fictional
Other
The beloved protagonist of the Arabic and Persian legend Layla and Majnun, one of literature's greatest love stories, re...
The beloved protagonist of the Arabic and Persian legend Layla and Majnun, one of literature's greatest love stories, referenced in works from Nizami to Eric Clapton
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Compare Laylah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,059
- Total SSA Count
- 235
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Hebrew Persian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lay
Layla
Lala
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Laylah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Laylah
What does the name Laylah mean?
"night" (from Arabic). "nocturnal, daughter of the night" (from Arabic poetic). "dark beauty" (from Arabic cultural meaning). Laylah is a variant spelling of Layla, from the Arabic 'layl' meaning night. In Arab poetry, Layla is one of the most romantic names imaginable — the beloved in the legend of Qays and Layla (equivalent to Romeo and Juliet in Arabic literature), where Qays goes mad with love for Layla and is called Majnun (the mad one). The name carries centuries of romantic and poetic weight across Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literary traditions.
What is the origin of the name Laylah?
Laylah has Arabic, Arabic poetic, Arabic cultural meaning, Hebrew, Persian, and American origins. In Arabic, it means "night". In Arabic poetic, it means "nocturnal, daughter of the night". In Arabic cultural meaning, it means "dark beauty".
Is Laylah a boy or girl name?
Laylah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Laylah?
Laylah is currently ranked #1059 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Laylah?
Common nicknames for Laylah include Lay, Layla, and Lala.
What are good middle names for Laylah?
Popular middle name pairings include Laylah Rose, Laylah Grace, Laylah Mae, Laylah Rae, Laylah Dawn, Laylah Jade, and Laylah Simone.
What are good sibling names for Laylah?
Names that pair well with Laylah as siblings include Zara, Amara, Yusuf, Khalil, Nadia, Sana, and Elias.
How many syllables does Laylah have?
Laylah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Laylah a common or rare name?
Laylah is an uncommon name, ranked #1059 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Laylah?
About the Name Laylah
Laylah is a girl name with Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, and American origins . The name means "night" in Arabic .
Laylah is currently ranked #1,059 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Laylah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Laylah include Lay, Layla, and Lala. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Laylah include Layla, Laylani, 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