Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Leyla
GirlTurkish, Persian· “night”
- Meaning
- night
- Origin
- Turkish, Persian
- Pronunciation
- LAY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #611
- US babies 2025
- 478
- Best rank
- #586 (2020)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Leyla
Leyla is a Turkish and Persian name that means “night”.
Leyla is the Turkish, Persian and Azerbaijani form of Layla, from the Arabic word for "night." It is famous from the story of Layla and Majnun, a tale of doomed love that circulated in Arabic poetry and was retold by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi. Its romantic reputation has kept the name popular across the Middle East, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Leyla is graceful and soft, with a strong sense of heritage. In English it can be said LAY-luh or LY-luh. Lela and Lala are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Leyla first appears in US Social Security records in 1957. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 21 different years, starting in 2005. Its best national rank was #586 in 2020, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 504 were named Leyla. In 2025, 478 babies were named Leyla, and it ranked #611 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,785 in 1980, #1,684 in 2000, #750 in 2010, and #611 in 2025. Of the 10,564 US girls named Leyla since records began, 39% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,915 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Zariyah, Mina, Arlet, Rosalia, and Sariyah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Leyla ranked highest in Rhode Island, Florida, and New York.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | #166 | 6 |
| Florida | #339 | 54 |
| New York | #354 | 48 |
| New Jersey | #438 | 18 |
| California | #471 | 72 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Leyla is usually pronounced LAY-luh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with L and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Leyla
A few middle names that flow with Leyla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Leyla
Similar names
Laila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#413
Leila Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#259
Layla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#36
Stella Girl
STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
#52
Ayla Girl
AY-luh
“moonlight halo; oak tree” · Turkish
#77
Mina Girl
MEE-nuh
“short form of names like Wilhelmina” · German
#597
Ela Girl
EH-luh
“short form of Elżbieta or Daniela” · Polish
#1,562
Bella Girl
BEL-uh
“beautiful” · Italian
#136
Jayla Girl
JAY-luh
“blend of Jay and -la” · American (modern coinage)
#530
Lila Girl
LY-luh
“play (Sanskrit); night (Arabic)” · Sanskrit
#187
Nyla Girl
NY-luh
“uncertain; possibly one who succeeds” · American (modern coinage)
#236
Myla Girl
MY-luh
“variant of Mila or Miles” · American (modern coinage)
#210
Lists that include Leyla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leyla mean?
Leyla is a Turkish and Persian name that means “night”.
What is the origin of the name Leyla?
Leyla has Turkish, Persian, and Arabic roots. Leyla is the Turkish, Persian and Azerbaijani form of Layla, from the Arabic word for "night." It is famous from the story of Layla and Majnun, a tale of doomed love that circulated in Arabic poetry and was retold by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi.
Is Leyla a popular name?
Yes. Leyla ranked #611 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Leyla a boy or girl name?
Leyla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Leyla?
Leyla 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