The story behind Layla
One of many alternative spellings of a name transliterated from Arabic; see Leila for more information. Since the late 20th century, in English, this given name in this spelling is sometimes bestowed solely because it is considered euphonious, a theme true of many given names; Wikipedia at given name § Popularity discusses name choice motivations.
Pronunciation
English; dialect unspecified: /ˈleɪlə/
Popularity
Layla ranked #36 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Layla
Laila
Variant of Leila and Layla, from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā), related to لَيْلَة (layla, “night”). First recorded in Finland in 1875. Explained as a Sami name, and used for Sami…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Leila
From Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā). Taken into English usage through nineteenth-century literature. Ultimately from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lela
A female given name from Arabic, possibly a variant of Leila.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Leyla
Inherited from Ottoman Turkish ليلى (Leylâ), from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lila
Variant of Leila or Lilah, depending on pronunciation; also associated with Spanish lila (“lilac”). From Sanskrit लीला (līlā, “play, charm”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Lyla
A spelling variant of Leila.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Layla
Bağır
From Arabic بَاقِر (bāqir).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends R
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Bahriye
Inherited from Ottoman Turkish بحریه, from Arabic بَحْرِيَّة (baḥriyya).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Berahim
From Arabic إِبْرَاهِيم (ʔibrāhīm), from Hebrew אַבְרָהָם (avrahám). Doublet of Ibrahim.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends M
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Layla
Aaliyah
Popularized by American singer Aaliyah Haughton (1979-2001). Transliteration of Arabic عَالِيَة (ʕāliya).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends H
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abacar
Borrowed from Arabic أَبُو بَكْر (ʔabū bakr, literally “father of a young camel; father of a person named Bakr”).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends R
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abaz
Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish عباس (ʼabbas), from Arabic عَبَّاس (ʕabbās, literally “frowning; lion”). For the final /z/ compare abanoz. Borrowed from Ottoman Turkish عباس…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Z
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length