Updated February 28, 2024

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Girl name origins & meanings

  • Arabic : Night beauty 
  • Hebrew : Dark beauty
  • African : Dark beauty; born at night

What Does Leila Mean and Stand For? 

The name Leila has Arabic and Hebrew roots, meaning dark or night beauty. It was popularized in the Western world by 19th century poet, Lord Byron, who named a character Leila in one of his famous poems. 

 

Syllables: 2

Girl name variations

Laila

Laila

- 18% this year
Feminine
Common
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Laili

Laili

0 % this year
Feminine
Rare
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Laleh

Laleh

- 17% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Layla

Layla

- 4% this year
Feminine
Common
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Laylah

Laylah

- 7% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Laela

Laela

+ 15% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Lala

Lala

- 27% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Laya

Laya

- 14% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Laylie

Laylie

0 % this year
Feminine
Rare
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Lila

Lila

+ 1% this year
Feminine
Common
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Lillah

Lillah

+ 140% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Lyla

Lyla

+ 6% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Leilia

Leilia

0 % this year
Feminine
Rare
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Lela

Lela

- 12% this year
Feminine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Leila

Famous people who gave their babies this name

What Does the Name Leila Mean? 

Leila is a girls' name of Arabic origin, meaning "night beauty." It is a variation of the name Layla. 

This spelling of Leila is often credited to 19th century poet, Lord Byron, who popularized it through his epic poem Don Juan which featured a character of the name. 

How Popular is the Name Leila? 

Leila is the #205 most popular name in the U.S., according to Social Security Administration data. Since the year 2000, Leila has been steadily growing in popularity. It is the number 1 most popular name on FamilyEducation.com. 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Leila was at its peak popularity in August 2020. 

Popularity of the Name Leila in the United States

Leila was searched for most often in the following states: 

  • District of Columbia 
  • California
  • Hawaii 
  • New York
  • Florida 

Famous People Named Leila and Leila in Pop Culture 

Famous Leila's include Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes, Iranian-American musician Leila Bela, and late Princess of Iran Leila Pahlavi. 

Queen Leila is a minor character in the Disney film Maleficent. 

Pairs Well with These Middle Names 

Appears on 

People Who Like the Name Leila Also Like 

Leila meaning and origin