"night, dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
Leyla
Does Leyla flow with your last name?
The star of the greatest love story ever told in the East
Arabic
Persian
Turkish
Azerbaijani
South Asian
Romantic
Elegant
Classic
Literary
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"born at night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Some associations with the Eric Clapton song 'Layla' which tells a story of unrequited obsession
The Story of Leyla
Leyla (also Layla, Laila, Leila) derives from the Arabic word for 'night' (لَيْلَى), evoking darkness, mystery, and beauty. In Arabic poetry, night is associated with longing and romance. The name became immortalized through the 7th-century Arabic love story of Layla and Majnun, where Layla represents the unattainable beloved — a story that inspired countless retellings across Persian, Turkish, and Urdu literature.
Leyla and its variants have surged globally in the 21st century, driven by both Arabic heritage communities and broader Western appreciation. Eric Clapton's 1970 classic 'Layla' brought the name into English-speaking consciousness, and it has remained in the top 100 of many Western countries. The spelling 'Leyla' is particularly popular in Turkish and Azerbaijani communities.
In Persian and Urdu literary traditions, 'Layla and Majnun' is the equivalent of Romeo and Juliet — the definitive romantic tragedy. The name Leyla therefore carries deep literary and romantic weight across an enormous swath of the world, from Morocco to Pakistan.
Historical Record
Leyla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1957.
Over 10,077 babies have been named Leyla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Leyla is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #601 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The Layla and Majnun love story predates Romeo and Juliet by nearly 900 years
- Nizami Ganjavi's 12th-century epic poem 'Layla and Majnun' is one of the most translated works in world literature
- Eric Clapton wrote the song 'Layla' after reading the Nizami poem, feeling it mirrored his own unrequited love
Leyla in Other Languages
Urdu
لیلیٰ
Arabic
لَيْلَى
Hebrew
לֵילָה
Persian
لیلا
Turkish
Leyla
Azerbaijani
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#601
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Leyla
L
Leyla Aliyeva
Other
1985
Azerbaijani public figure and vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation; the name is extremely popular in Azerbaija...
Azerbaijani public figure and vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation; the name is extremely popular in Azerbaijan
L
Leyla (Layla) — protagonist of Layla and Majnun Fictional
Other
The beloved of Qays ibn al-Mulawwah (Majnun) in the classic Arabic and Persian love epic, one of literature's most iconi...
The beloved of Qays ibn al-Mulawwah (Majnun) in the classic Arabic and Persian love epic, one of literature's most iconic heroines
L
Layla (Derek and the Dominos song) Fictional
Musician
The subject of Eric Clapton's iconic 1970 song 'Layla,' inspired by the ancient Persian love epic
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #601
- Total SSA Count
- 499
- Cultural Origins
- Arabic Persian Turkish Azerbaijani South Asian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Ley
Layla
Lay
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Leyla
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Compare Leyla with...
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Frequently Asked Questions About Leyla
What does the name Leyla mean?
"night, dark beauty" (from Arabic). "born at night" (from Hebrew). Leyla (also Layla, Laila, Leila) derives from the Arabic word for 'night' (لَيْلَى), evoking darkness, mystery, and beauty. In Arabic poetry, night is associated with longing and romance. The name became immortalized through the 7th-century Arabic love story of Layla and Majnun, where Layla represents the unattainable beloved — a story that inspired countless retellings across Persian, Turkish, and Urdu literature.
What is the origin of the name Leyla?
Leyla has Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, and South Asian origins. In Arabic, it means "night, dark beauty". In Hebrew, it means "born at night".
Is Leyla a boy or girl name?
Leyla is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Leyla?
Leyla is currently ranked #601 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Leyla?
Common nicknames for Leyla include Ley, Layla, and Lay.
What are good middle names for Leyla?
Popular middle name pairings include Leyla Rose, Leyla Jade, Leyla Seren, Leyla Noor, Leyla Yasmine, and Leyla Grace.
What are good sibling names for Leyla?
Names that pair well with Leyla as siblings include Zara, Noor, Yasmin, Karim, Dario, and Cyrus.
How many syllables does Leyla have?
Leyla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Leyla a common or rare name?
Leyla is moderately common, ranked #601 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Leyla?
About the Name Leyla
Leyla is a girl name with Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Azerbaijani, and South Asian origins . The name means "night, dark beauty" in Arabic .
Leyla is currently ranked #601 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Leyla has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Leyla include Ley, Layla, and Lay. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Leyla include Leylani, Leylah . 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