"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Leila
Pronunciation: [ l-EEL-uh ]
Girl Name
#267 Most Popular
Rising
2 Syllables
A name meaning night — poetic, timeless, luminous
Arabic
Persian
Turkish
Hebrew
South Asian
Romantic
Elegant
Spiritual
Classic
Exotic
Meaning & Origin
"angel of the night"
Origin: Hebrew mystical tradition
Language: Hebrew
The Story of Leila
Leila comes from the Arabic layla, meaning night or dark beauty, with connotations of mystery and the intoxication of nighttime. The name appears across the Arab, Persian, and Turkish worlds, unified by this poetic association with the night. In Hebrew, a related form Lilah or Lailah appears in Jewish mystical texts as an angel of the night. The name's connection to darkness is entirely romantic in origin — the night sky, not shadow.
Leila gained widespread recognition in Western countries through Eric Clapton's 1970 rock anthem Layla, which was inspired by the 12th-century Persian tragic love story of Layla and Majnun. The various spellings (Leila, Layla, Lila) have all climbed in popularity across Europe and America since the 2000s.
The Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi immortalized the name in his 12th-century epic Layla and Majnun, considered the Romeo and Juliet of the Middle East. The story has been retold across Arab, Persian, Turkish, and South Asian cultures for centuries. The name carries profound romantic and poetic resonance throughout the Islamic world.
Fun Facts
- Nizami Ganjavi's 12th-century poem Layla and Majnun is one of the most-read love stories in the world
- Eric Clapton wrote Layla while infatuated with Pattie Boyd, inspired by the Persian love story
- The name Leila appears in works by Byron, Goethe, and Pushkin, reflecting its romantic power across European literature
Leila in Other Languages
Urdu
لیلیٰ
Arabic
ليلى
Hebrew
לילה
Persian
لیلا
Turkish
Leyla
Famous People Named Leila
L
Leila Hatami
Actor
1972
Iranian actress who starred in the Academy Award-winning film A Separation (2011)
L
Leila Khaled
Activist
1944
Palestinian political activist, author, and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
L
Layla Fictional
Other
The tragic heroine of Nizami Ganjavi's 12th-century Persian epic Layla and Majnun, symbol of idealized, unrequited love
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #267
- Total SSA Count
- 1,191
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Turkish Hebrew South Asian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lei
Lay
Pairs Well With
Leila Grace
Leila Marie
Leila Rose
Leila Sophia
Leila Anne
Leila Jade
Leila Noelle
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Leila is also used as a boy name, ranked #29285.
View Leila as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leila
What does the name Leila mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic). "angel of the night" (from Hebrew mystical tradition). Leila comes from the Arabic layla, meaning night or dark beauty, with connotations of mystery and the intoxication of nighttime. The name appears across the Arab, Persian, and Turkish worlds, unified by this poetic association with the night. In Hebrew, a related form Lilah or Lailah appears in Jewish mystical texts as an angel of the night. The name's connection to darkness is entirely romantic in origin — the night sky, not shadow.
What is the origin of the name Leila?
Leila has Arabic, Hebrew mystical tradition, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, and South Asian origins. In Arabic, it means "night, dark beauty". In Hebrew mystical tradition, it means "angel of the night".
Is Leila a boy or girl name?
Leila is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #267. As a boy name, it is ranked #29285. Leila is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Leila?
Leila is pronounced l-EEL-uh.
How popular is the name Leila?
Leila is currently ranked #267 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leila?
Common nicknames for Leila include Lei and Lay.
What are good middle names for Leila?
Popular middle name pairings include Leila Grace, Leila Marie, Leila Rose, Leila Sophia, Leila Anne, Leila Jade, and Leila Noelle.
What are good sibling names for Leila?
Names that pair well with Leila as siblings include Zara, Yasmin, Nadia, Omar, Karim, Soren, and Mira.
How many syllables does Leila have?
Leila has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leila a common or rare name?
Leila is a popular name, ranked #267 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Leila
Leila is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Hebrew, and South Asian origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic .
Is Leila a boy or girl name? Leila is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #267 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,285. Leila is more commonly used as a girl name.
Leila is currently ranked #267 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leila has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-EEL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leila include Lei and Lay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leila include Leilani, Leilany, Leilah, Leilanni, Leilanie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.