"night"
Origin: Arabic (variant of Leila)
Language: English
Lyla
Does Lyla flow with your last name?
Night-soft and timeless, with a poet's heart
English
Arabic
Persian
American
Modern
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Romantic
Elegant
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Meaning & Origin
"dark beauty"
Origin: Persian (laylah)
Language: English
"night; dark beauty"
Origin: Arabic
Language: English
"born at night"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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The Story of Lyla
Lyla is a modern English spelling variant of Layla or Lila, derived from the Arabic 'layla' meaning 'night.' The name has deep roots in Arabic poetry, most famously in the 7th-century love story of Qays and Layla — an unrequited romance so enduring it became a metaphor for yearning in Persian, Urdu, and Arabic literature.
Lyla has been rising in popularity in the United States through the 2010s and 2020s, benefiting from the massive popularity of Layla (driven partly by Eric Clapton's famous 1970 song) while offering a softer, more modern spelling. Parents who want the sound without the musical baggage often choose Lyla.
The legend of Layla and Majnun — the Arabic Romeo and Juliet — has been told across the Middle East, South Asia, and Central Asia for over a millennium. The name carries resonance in Islamic culture as a symbol of transcendent love. In the West, Clapton's song Layla is one of rock's greatest love songs.
Historical Record
Lyla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 43,408 babies have been named Lyla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Lyla is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #83 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Eric Clapton's 'Layla' (1970) is consistently ranked among the greatest rock songs ever recorded
- The 7th-century Arabic romance of Layla and Majnun inspired Nizami's 12th-century Persian epic poem
- Lyla is the most modern and simplified spelling of a name that has existed in Arabic poetry for 1,400 years
Lyla in Other Languages
Arabic
ليلى (Layla)
French
Lyla
Hebrew
לֵילָה (Leila)
Persian
لیلا (Leila)
Spanish
Lyla
Turkish
Leyla
Popularity Over Time
#83
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Lyla
L
Layla Hassan
Politician
1981
Danish-Somali politician who served as Minister for Equal Opportunities in Denmark
L
Layla El
Entertainer
1977
American professional wrestler and dancer who performed in WWE and won the Divas Championship
L
Layla (Qays and Layla) Fictional
Other
The beloved of the epic Arabic love story, Layla and Majnun, told across the Middle East and South Asia for over a thous...
The beloved of the epic Arabic love story, Layla and Majnun, told across the Middle East and South Asia for over a thousand years
L
Lyla Garrity Fictional
Other
A central character in the beloved American drama Friday Night Lights, portrayed by Minka Kelly
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Compare Lyla with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #83
- Total SSA Count
- 2,944
- Cultural Origins
- English Arabic Persian American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Ly
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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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, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Lyla
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Lyla is also used as a boy name, ranked #32323.
View Lyla as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lyla
What does the name Lyla mean?
"night" (from Arabic (variant of Leila)). "dark beauty" (from Persian (laylah)). "night; dark beauty" (from Arabic). "born at night" (from Hebrew). Lyla is a modern English spelling variant of Layla or Lila, derived from the Arabic 'layla' meaning 'night.' The name has deep roots in Arabic poetry, most famously in the 7th-century love story of Qays and Layla — an unrequited romance so enduring it became a metaphor for yearning in Persian, Urdu, and Arabic literature.
What is the origin of the name Lyla?
Lyla has Arabic (variant of Leila), Persian (laylah), Arabic, Hebrew, English, Persian, and American origins. In Arabic (variant of Leila), it means "night". In Persian (laylah), it means "dark beauty". In Arabic, it means "night; dark beauty". In Hebrew, it means "born at night".
Is Lyla a boy or girl name?
Lyla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #83. As a boy name, it is ranked #32323. Lyla is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Lyla?
Lyla is currently ranked #83 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Lyla?
Popular middle name pairings include Lyla Rose, Lyla Grace, Lyla Mae, Lyla Claire, Lyla Jade, Lyla Belle, and Lyla Anne.
What are good sibling names for Lyla?
Names that pair well with Lyla as siblings include Isla, Stella, Aria, Luna, Kai, Jasper, and Finn.
How many syllables does Lyla have?
Lyla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Lyla a common or rare name?
Lyla is a very popular name, ranked #83 among girl names in the United States.
What girl names are similar to Lyla?
About the Name Lyla
Lyla is a girl name with English, Arabic, Persian, and American origins . The name means "night" in Arabic (variant of Leila) .
Is Lyla a boy or girl name? Lyla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #83 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #32,323. Lyla is more commonly used as a girl name.
Lyla is currently ranked #83 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Lyla has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Lyla include Ly. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Lyla include Lylah, Lylla . 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