"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Leelah
Does Leelah flow with your last name?
Night beauty meets divine play — two names in one
Arabic
South Asian
Persian
American
Elegant
Classic
Romantic
Gentle
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Leelah
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Leelah
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"divine play, cosmic game"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Hindi
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Leelah
See all →What the Leelah report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Leelah 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 Leelah
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Leelah head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Leelah 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 Leelah
Leelah is a variant spelling of Leila or Layla, one of the most beloved names in Arabic and Persian poetry. The name comes from the Arabic layl meaning night, evoking the beauty and mystery of darkness. In Sanskrit and Hindu tradition, Leela means divine play, referring to the cosmic play of the gods — a completely different and equally profound meaning. This dual heritage makes Leelah a name with remarkable depth.
The Layla/Leila/Lila family of names has been consistently popular across cultures. In the English-speaking world, Eric Claptons 1970 song Layla brought the name to mainstream attention. The Leelah spelling appeals to parents wanting to honor South Asian heritage while keeping the name recognizable.
In Persian and Arabic literature, Layla is the tragic heroine of the classic love story Layla and Majnun, the inspiration for Romeo and Juliet. In Hindu philosophy, leela (divine play) is a fundamental concept describing creation itself as the joyful play of the divine.
Historical Record
Leelah first appeared in US Social Security records in 2000.
Over 427 babies have been named Leelah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leelah is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #6,548 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Arabic Layla and Sanskrit Leela share this spelling but have completely different meanings
- Layla and Majnun is one of the most celebrated love stories in Persian literature, inspiring poets for over a thousand years
- Eric Claptons Layla (1970) introduced this name to millions of English-speaking parents
Leelah in Other Languages
Hindi
लीला
Arabic
ليلى
Hebrew
לֵילָה
Persian
لیلا
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#6,548
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leelah
L
Leila Hatami
Actor
1972
Iranian actress who won Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for A Separation
L
Layla (from Layla and Majnun) Fictional
Other
Protagonist of the classic 12th-century Persian love epic by Nizami Ganjavi, one of literatures great tragic heroines
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #6,548
- Total SSA Count
- 18
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic South Asian Persian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lee
Leela
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
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 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
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 Leelah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Leelah
Phonetic neighbors that share Leelah's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Leelah fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Leelah →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 Leelah with...
Same Origin Names (Arabic)
See all Arabic names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Leelah
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Leelah and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Leelah 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 →
Poet
Girl
Greek via Latin origin
"artisan of language"
#6,619 in US
Najma
Girl
Swahili origin
"Star, shining light"
#6,426 in US
Lenox
Girl
Old English origin
"smooth stream"
#6,553 in US
Jacy
Girl
Tupi-Guarani origin
"moon, moonlight"
#6,390 in US
Sheena
Girl
Hebrew via Gaelic origin
"God is gracious"
#6,578 in US
Stormee
Girl
Modern English origin
"energetic, powerful"
#6,408 in US
Kemper
Girl
Old Dutch/German kamp (battle) origin
"warrior, champion"
#6,628 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Leelah's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leelah
What does the name Leelah mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic). "divine play, cosmic game" (from Sanskrit). Leelah is a variant spelling of Leila or Layla, one of the most beloved names in Arabic and Persian poetry. The name comes from the Arabic layl meaning night, evoking the beauty and mystery of darkness. In Sanskrit and Hindu tradition, Leela means divine play, referring to the cosmic play of the gods — a completely different and equally profound meaning. This dual heritage makes Leelah a name with remarkable depth.
What is the origin of the name Leelah?
Leelah has Arabic, Sanskrit, South Asian, Persian, and American origins. In Arabic, it means "night, dark beauty". In Sanskrit, it means "divine play, cosmic game".
Is Leelah a boy or girl name?
Leelah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Leelah?
Leelah is currently ranked #6548 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leelah?
Common nicknames for Leelah include Lee and Leela.
What are good middle names for Leelah?
Popular middle name pairings include Leelah Rose, Leelah Grace, Leelah Marie, Leelah Anne, Leelah Jane, Leelah Faith, and Leelah Hope.
What are good sibling names for Leelah?
Names that pair well with Leelah as siblings include Layla, Aria, Zara, Nadia, Sana, Mira, and Dalia.
How many syllables does Leelah have?
Leelah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leelah a common or rare name?
Leelah is an uncommon name, ranked #6548 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Leelah?
Are there other spellings for Leelah?
Related spellings include Leela.
About the Name Leelah
Leelah is a girl name with Arabic, South Asian, Persian, and American origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic .
Leelah is currently ranked #6,548 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leelah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leelah include Lee and Leela. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leelah include Leela . 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 Leelah
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
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