Laila

Night, dark beauty — a girl name of Arabic origin

GenderGirl
OriginArabic
MeaningNight, dark beauty
PronunciationLAY-luh

Popularity of Laila in the United States

#413Rank in 2025
755Births in 2025
#135 in 2009Peak Popularity
↓ Declining10-Year Trend

Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Based on all Social Security card applications for births in the United States.

Meaning & Origin of Laila

Laila is a popular spelling variant of Layla, an Arabic name meaning "night," evoking the beauty and mystery of a starlit sky. It shares the same roots as the legendary tale of Qays and Layla, one of the great romantic epics of the Arabic-speaking world. This particular spelling has become common across English-speaking countries, valued for its soft sound and elegant simplicity. Laila offers a slightly different visual flow on paper while retaining the same lyrical pronunciation as its more traditional counterpart.

Laila Around the World

Laila is used in 2 languages worldwide, with 8+ international variants.

Languages
DutchLatvian
Details

TypeFemale given name

International Variants
LeilaItalian
LeylaTurkish
LaylaDutch
Leelah
Láilá
Leïlah
Leilah
Lajla

Linguistic data: Wikidata (CC0). Variants and language usage may vary by region.

Nicknames for Laila

LayLala

Famous People Named Laila

  • Laila Ali — American former professional boxer and daughter of Muhammad Ali
  • Laila Robins — American stage and screen actress
  • Laila Rouass — British actress and television presenter

Similar Names to Laila

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Sibling Name Ideas for Laila

Looking for names that pair well with Laila? Here are some sibling name suggestions that share a similar style and feel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Laila mean?

Laila is a girl name of Arabic origin meaning "Night, dark beauty." Laila is a popular spelling variant of Layla, an Arabic name meaning "night," evoking the beauty and mystery of a starlit sky. It shares the same roots as the legendary tale of Qays and Layla, one of the great romantic epics of the Arabic-speaking world.

How do you pronounce Laila?

Laila is pronounced LAY-luh. Common variations include Layla, Leila, Laylah.

Is Laila a girl name?

Yes, Laila is traditionally a girl name. Popular nicknames include Lay, Lala.

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