"night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
Lilah
Pronunciation: [ l-IHL-uh ]
Does Lilah flow with your last name?
A soft, enchanting name meaning night beauty
Hebrew
English
American
Arabic
Elegant
Gentle
Vintage
Literary
Whimsical
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Nicknames
Nicknames for Lilah
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"play, amusement"
Origin: Sanskrit
Language: Sanskrit
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The Story of Lilah
Lilah is a variant spelling of Lila, rooted in the Hebrew word for night. The name shares roots with Lilith, the ancient Mesopotamian figure, and with Leila, a beloved name throughout the Arab world. The spelling Lilah became popular in English-speaking countries as a softer, more romantic rendering of the classic.
Lilah rose sharply in the 2010s alongside its variants Lila and Leila, driven by the broader trend toward soft, two-syllable girl names ending in ah. The popularity of the name Layla (via Eric Clapton's song) created a halo effect for similar names.
In Hebrew tradition, the night is associated with mystery and divine presence. In Persian and Arabic poetry, Layla/Lilah represents the archetypal beautiful beloved, featured in classical love stories like Layla and Majnun.
Historical Record
Lilah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1951.
Over 21,853 babies have been named Lilah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lilah is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #179 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Lilah and its variants rank in the Top 200 in at least 8 English-speaking countries
- The name's Arabic cognate Leila appears in over a dozen classical poems
- Lilah is one of over 20 accepted spellings of this sound in English
Lilah in Other Languages
Arabic
Layla
French
Lilah
Hebrew
Lilah
Persian
Leila
Spanish
Lila
Popularity Over Time
#179
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lilah
L
Lilah Parsons
Entertainer
1986
British TV presenter and model known for music show hosting
L
Lilah Price Fictional
Other
Protagonist in the Ashes trilogy by Ilsa J. Bick, a resourceful survivor in a post-apocalyptic world
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Compare Lilah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #179
- Total SSA Count
- 1,685
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English American Arabic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Li
Lil
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 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lilah
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Compare Lilah with...
Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Biblical origin
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English occupational surname origin
"seller of scarlet cloth"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lilah
What does the name Lilah mean?
"night" (from Hebrew). "dark beauty" (from Arabic). "play, amusement" (from Sanskrit). Lilah is a variant spelling of Lila, rooted in the Hebrew word for night. The name shares roots with Lilith, the ancient Mesopotamian figure, and with Leila, a beloved name throughout the Arab world. The spelling Lilah became popular in English-speaking countries as a softer, more romantic rendering of the classic.
What is the origin of the name Lilah?
Lilah has Hebrew, Arabic, Sanskrit, English, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "night". In Arabic, it means "dark beauty". In Sanskrit, it means "play, amusement".
Is Lilah a boy or girl name?
Lilah is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Lilah?
Lilah is pronounced l-IHL-uh.
How popular is the name Lilah?
Lilah is currently ranked #179 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Lilah?
Common nicknames for Lilah include Lil.
What are good middle names for Lilah?
Popular middle name pairings include Lilah Rose, Lilah Grace, Lilah Jane, Lilah Mae, Lilah Frances, and Lilah Claire.
What are good sibling names for Lilah?
Names that pair well with Lilah as siblings include Ezra, Jonah, Elara, Violet, Silas, and Nora.
How many syllables does Lilah have?
Lilah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lilah a common or rare name?
Lilah is a popular name, ranked #179 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Lilah?
About the Name Lilah
Lilah is a girl name with Hebrew, English, American, and Arabic origins . The name means "night" in Hebrew .
Lilah is currently ranked #179 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lilah has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-IHL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lilah include Li and Lil. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lilah include Lila, Lilac . 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