Layla

Layla Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

LAY-lah

Meaning of Layla: Layla derives from the Arabic word layla (ليلى), meaning "night." In Arabic poetic tradition, the name carries associations with darkness, mystery, and feminine beauty — qualities cultivated across centuries of classical verse in which night imagery played a central aesthetic role.

US Rank 2024

No. 37

Births

5,305

Peak Year

2019

The name is inseparable from the 7th-century Arabian love story of Layla and Majnun. The poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah became so consumed by his love for Layla that he was called Majnun, meaning "madman." The story spread from Arabia through Persia to South Asia. See etymology records.

The name reached Western audiences largely through Eric Clapton's 1970 rock classic "Layla," recorded with Derek and the Dominos. Clapton drew on the Layla and Majnun story when writing the song. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972 and has remained in classic rock playlists since.

What Does Layla Mean? Origin & Etymology

In the United States, Layla first entered the SSA top 1000 in 2000 and rose steadily. It peaked at rank 23 in 2019 and settled at rank 37 in 2024 with 5,305 births. The name performs strongly across diverse American demographic groups. Track records at SSA Baby Names.

Common spelling variants include Leila, Laila, and Lila. Leila is the Persian transliteration, widely used in Iran and among diaspora communities. Laila is an alternate Arabic romanization. Lila is phonetically similar but carries distinct Sanskrit and Hebrew etymological roots.

In Sufism, the Layla and Majnun metaphor represents the soul's longing for union with God. This layered symbolism gives the name a depth extending beyond its surface meaning, contributing to its broad appeal across Muslim, Christian, and secular naming contexts in the contemporary US.

How Popular Is Layla?

Numerology & Symbolism of Layla

Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.

L(3) + A(1) + Y(7) + L(3) + A(1) = 15 = 6

Destiny number

Nurturing

Sum of all letters, reduced to a single digit

Soul urge

Connection

Sum of vowels only - reveals inner desires

Expression

Reliability

Sum of consonants - how others perceive you

Letters 5

Vowels / consonants 2 / 3

Birthstone Sapphire

Lucky color Indigo

1 Leadership Independent, driven, original — the initiator who forges new paths.

2 Harmony Diplomatic and cooperative, thriving through partnership and balance.

3 Expression Creative and communicative, bringing joy through art and words.

4 Stability Disciplined and dependable, building lasting structures through hard work.

5 Freedom Adventurous and adaptable, drawn to change, travel, and new experiences.

6 Nurturing Caring and responsible, focused on home, family, and community.

7 Wisdom Analytical and introspective, seeking truth through study and reflection.

8 Ambition Authoritative and goal-oriented, excelling in business and material achievement.

9 Compassion Humanitarian and idealistic, driven by a desire to serve and uplift others.

11 Intuition Master number: heightened sensitivity and spiritual insight beyond the ordinary.

22 Master Builder Master number: visionary practicality that turns ambitious dreams into reality.

33 Master Teacher Master number: selfless guidance and healing offered for the good of all.

Layla – Similar Names & Alternatives

Aaliyah

exalted, sublime

Lila

has multiple independent origins that converged

Leila

descends from the arabic layla (“night”)

beloved, lady of the sea

Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity

Frequently Asked Questions about Layla

What does Layla mean?

Layla means night or dark beauty, from Arabic layla (night). In classical Arabic poetry, Layla was the name of the idealized beloved in the tale of Qays and Layla, a story of passionate, unrequited love.

What is the origin of Layla?

Layla derives from Arabic layla (night). The 7th-century tale of Qays and Layla established it as a romantic ideal. Derek and the Dominos’ Layla (1970) introduced it to English-speaking audiences.

How popular is Layla in the US?

Layla ranks 37 for girls in the US as of 2024, per SSA data. It entered the top 30 in 2013. Layla is especially popular in communities with Arabic, South Asian, and multiethnic backgrounds.

What are variants of Layla?

Variants include Leilah, Leila (Persian form), Leyla (Turkish), Laila (alternate transliteration), and Lila. All share the Arabic night meaning.

Is Layla more popular for girls or boys?

Layla is given almost exclusively to girls. It ranks 37 for girls in the US in 2024 and does not appear in the top 1000 boys’ names.

Girl Arabic 2 syllables From Arabic "layla" meaning night

Layla – Name Variants & Spellings

Variant	Language
Laylah	Arabic variant
Laila	Arabic/Scandinavian
Lela	Georgian/Arabic short form
Leila	Persian/Arabic
Leyla	Turkish/Azerbaijani

AK No. 56 AL No. 20 AR No. 33 AZ No. 24 CA No. 35 CO No. 41 CT No. 29 DC No. 52 DE No. 17 FL No. 35 GA No. 39 HI No. 70 IA No. 18 ID No. 71 IL No. 26 IN No. 36 KS No. 48 KY No. 31 LA No. 66 MA No. 43 MD No. 30 ME No. 44 MI No. 21 MN No. 22 MO No. 30 MS No. 30 MT No. 100 NC No. 39 ND No. 44 NE No. 35 NH No. 52 NJ No. 38 NM No. 25 NV No. 40 NY No. 31 OH No. 33 OK No. 34 OR No. 58 PA No. 44 RI No. 27 SC No. 17 SD No. 54 TN No. 26 TX No. 40 UT No. 92 VA No. 36 VT No. 89 WA No. 48 WI No. 37 WV No. 30 WY No. 35