Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Leila
GirlArabic, Persian· “night”
- Meaning
- night
- Origin
- Arabic, Persian
- Pronunciation
- LAY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #259
- US babies 2025
- 1,193
- Best rank
- #165 (1880)
- Peak year
- 2010
Meaning and origin of Leila
Leila is an Arabic and Persian name that means “night”.
Leila is a form of the Arabic Layla, meaning "night," often understood as evoking dark beauty. The name is famous through the story of Layla and Majnun, a tale of doomed love that began in Arabic tradition and was retold by the Persian poet Nizami, becoming one of the great romances of the Islamic world. Lord Byron used the name in his poem The Giaour, which helped introduce it to English readers. Leila is used across the Middle East, Europe and the Americas, and it has a graceful, lyrical sound. Lee and Lala are gentle nicknames, though the full name rarely needs shortening.
Popularity over time
Leila has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 144 different years. Its best national rank was #165 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 2010, when 1,509 were named Leila. In 2025, 1,193 babies were named Leila, and it ranked #259 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #323 in 1920, #657 in 1950, #847 in 1980, #595 in 2000, #205 in 2010, and #259 in 2025. Of the 55,436 US girls named Leila since records began, 25% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 9,904 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Haylee, Kayleigh, Addyson, Jayda, and Allie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leila ranked highest in Hawaii, Alaska, and District of Columbia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | #34 | 14 |
| Alaska | #123 | 6 |
| District of Columbia | #133 | 6 |
| California | #145 | 211 |
| Florida | #170 | 103 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Leila is usually pronounced LAY-luh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Lila, Lela, and Leala.
Middle names for Leila
A few middle names that flow with Leila: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leila
Similar names
Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#413
Leyla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Turkish
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Layla Girl
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Nyla Girl
NY-luh
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Stella Girl
STEL-uh
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Lyla Girl
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Yasmin Girl
YAZ-mihn
“jasmine flower” · Persian
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Mina Girl
MEE-nuh
“short form of names like Wilhelmina” · German
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Zahra Girl
ZAH-ruh
“flower; radiant” · Arabic
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Soraya Girl
suh-RY-uh
“the Pleiades” · Persian
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Nahla Girl
NAH-luh
“a drink of water” · Arabic
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Naila Girl
NY-luh
“one who attains” · Arabic
#1,728
Lists that include Leila
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leila mean?
Leila is an Arabic and Persian name that means “night”.
What is the origin of the name Leila?
Leila has Arabic and Persian roots. Leila is a form of the Arabic Layla, meaning "night," often understood as evoking dark beauty.
Is Leila a popular name?
Yes. Leila ranked #259 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Leila a boy or girl name?
Leila is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Leila?
Leila is usually pronounced LAY-luh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings