Layla
Layla is a girls' name of Arabic origin meaning “night, dark beauty.” It ranked #36 in the United States in 2025.
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how do you pronounce Layla?
LAY-lah
where does the name Layla come from?
From the Arabic ليلى (Laylā), meaning night. The root l-y-l gives the ordinary Arabic word for night, and the name carries an implication of dark beauty by association rather than by definition.
Layla means 'night' in Arabic and is the heroine of the Persian love story 'Layla and Majnun,' one of literature's great romances. Eric Clapton's song 'Layla' introduced it to Western audiences, and it has been a top-25 staple.
how popular is this name?
Layla has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 39 years since 1972, and fell outside it for 15. It peaked at #23 in 2019, and ranked #36 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #36 |
| 2024 | #37 |
| 2023 | #30 |
| 2022 | #29 |
| 2021 | #24 |
| 2020 | #24 |
| 2019 | #23 |
| 2018 | #27 |
| 2017 | #26 |
| 2016 | #30 |
| 2010 | #36 |
| 2000 | #407 |
| 1972 | #972 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Layla fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Layla
The seventh-century story of Layla and Majnun — a poet driven mad by a love he cannot have — became one of the great narratives of Persian and Arabic literature, retold by Nizami in the twelfth century and often called the eastern Romeo and Juliet. Eric Clapton's 1970 song, written about Pattie Boyd, drew directly on that story and carried the name into Western use.
who are famous people named Layla?
- Layla (Layla and Majnun love story)
- Eric Clapton (Layla song)
- Layla El (professional wrestler)
what are the nicknames and variants of Layla?
Nicknames
what names are similar to Layla?
what names go well with Layla?
Sibling names that share Layla's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Layla
What does the name Layla mean?
Layla means “night, dark beauty”.
What is the origin of the name Layla?
Layla comes from the Arabic naming tradition. Related forms include Leila, Laila and Leyla.
How popular is the name Layla?
Layla ranked #36 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2019, at #23, and it has spent 39 years in the top 1,000 since 1972.
Is Layla a boy or girl name?
Layla is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Layla?
Layla is pronounced LAY-lah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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