Declining since 2011, #1,592 for girls today.
Popularity of Lailah since 1981
Babies named Lailah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 94 |
| 2000s | 1,765 |
| 2010s | 3,829 |
| 2020s | 1,195 |
Meaning & origin
Lailah is a modern respelling of the classic Leila, from Arabic 'laylah' meaning night. Its U.S. debut came in 1981, and it reached its highest popularity in 2010, ranking 1592 in 2025. The name has been on a downward trend since 2011, but it remains a stylish choice in states like North Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan. Lailah's spelling offers a distinctive twist on a beloved cross-cultural name.
Lailah is a spelling variant of Leila, which itself is of Arabic origin, derived from the word 'laylah' meaning 'night'. The name has been used across Arabic-speaking cultures and gained popularity in the English-speaking world through literary and cultural references in the 19th and 20th centuries. This particular spelling emerged in the late 20th century as a modern respelling.
Where Lailah is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lai, Lala, Leila
Sibling names for Lailah
Names that share Lailah's style, for a brother or sister.
