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The short answer
Layla is an Arabic feminine name meaning 'night' (ليلى). Rooted in a classical Arab romance that was notably retold by the 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi as 'Layla and Majnun', the name has long held poetic resonance. In the English-speaking world, its modern adoption was catalyzed by Derek and the Dominos' 1970 rock song 'Layla'. It remains widely chosen for its melodic sound and rich literary heritage.
Meaning and etymology
Layla directly derives from an Arabic word signifying 'night'.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | ليلى | night |
History of the name
Historically renowned in medieval Near Eastern literature, Layla crossed into mainstream English use in the late 20th century.
| Period | What changed |
|---|---|
| 12th century | Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi pens 'Layla and Majnun', cementing the Arabic legend of the poet Qays and his beloved Layla as a central medieval romance. |
| 1970 | Derek and the Dominos release the hit song 'Layla', inspired by the medieval Persian tale, sparking modern English adoption. |
| 1972 | Layla enters the United States top 1,000 baby names at rank 972. |
Popularity
Layla entered the United States rankings in 1972, joined the top 100 in 2006, and reached a peak of #23 in 2019 before ranking #36 in 2025. In 2025, it was also ranked #32 in New Zealand, #35 in Australia (NSW), and #50 in England and Wales.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1972 | #972 | btn-layla-us |
| United States | 2006 | #100 | btn-layla-us |
| United States | 2019 | #23 | btn-layla-us |
| United States | 2025 | #36 | btn-layla-us |
| New Zealand | 2025 | #32 | btn-layla |
| England & Wales | 2025 | #50 | btn-layla |
Pronunciation around the world
The name is pronounced with an initial diphthong in English, while retaining a classical vocalic balance in Arabic.
| Language or region | Pronunciation | Local forms |
|---|---|---|
| English | /ˈleɪ.lə/ | Layla, Laila, Leila, Leyla, Lyla |
| Arabic | /ˈlaj.laː/ | ليلى, Laila, Leila, Leyla |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: None documented.
Variants: Laila, Leila, Leyla, Laïla, Lela, Lila, Lilah, Lyla, Lylah, Leilah
Related names: Leyli, Lejla, Leili
What the name feels like
Layla offers a balance of lyrical softness and classic structure. On Behind the Name, visitors frequently rate the name as youthful, wholesome, refined, and natural.
Style tags: youthful, wholesome, refined, natural, melodic
Editorial interpretation: Descriptors such as youthful, wholesome, and refined reflect visitor voting on Behind the Name. Melodic qualities represent subjective editorial opinion rather than linguistic fact.
People and stories associated with the name
Layla appears prominently in medieval Near Eastern poetry, classic rock history, and modern literature.
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Layla and Majnun | fictional | Heroine of the ancient Arab romance retold in 12th-century verse by Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi. |
| Layla (Song by Derek and the Dominos) | historical | 1970 rock single inspired by the medieval tale of Layla and Majnun, introducing the name widely to English speakers. |
| Layla (Character) | fictional | Character whose name tag is noted in Wally Lamb's 2008 novel 'The Hour I First Believed'. |
If you like this name
Those who appreciate Layla often consider other Arabic-derived forms and sound-alike phonetic variations.
Similar by origin
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Layla mean?
Layla means 'night' in Arabic.
What is the origin of the name Layla?
Layla originated as an Arabic name, famous in early Arab and Persian literature such as the medieval romance of Layla and Majnun.
Why did Layla become common in the English-speaking world?
The name gained widespread English popularity following the 1970 release of the song 'Layla' by Derek and the Dominos, which was inspired by the medieval Persian poem.
What are common spelling variants of Layla?
Common spelling variants include Laila, Leila, Leyla, Lila, Lilah, Lyla, and Lylah.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Layla — supports Arabic origin meaning 'night', Layla and Majnun romantic story retold by Nizami Ganjavi, English adoption following Derek and the Dominos 1970 song, Variants, related language forms, and community rating attributes, 2025 popularity rankings in England & Wales and New Zealand.
- Behind the Name: Popularity for the name Layla in the United States — supports US historical ranks from 1972 (#972) to 2025 (#36), US peak rank #23 in 2019, US top 100 entry in 2006 (#100).
- Wiktionary: Layla - Wiktionary, the free dictionary — supports English IPA pronunciation /ˈleɪlə/, Character reference quotation from Wally Lamb's The Hour I First Believed (2008).
