Declining since 2013, #1,250 for girls today.
Popularity of Laylah since 1975
Babies named Laylah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 5 |
| 1980s | 5 |
| 1990s | 52 |
| 2000s | 1,500 |
| 2010s | 4,104 |
| 2020s | 1,631 |
Meaning & origin
Laylah is a variant of Layla, an Arabic name meaning 'night' that has been used for centuries in the Middle East and beyond. In the United States, the name first appeared on the Social Security records in 1975 and reached its peak rank of 1,250 in 2014, after which its popularity began a gradual decline. As of 2025, 1 in 8,979 girls are named Laylah, making it an uncommon but recognizable choice. The name has seen particular use in Massachusetts, Tennessee, and Illinois. While it remains less common than the standard spelling Layla, Laylah offers a subtle twist on a classic name with deep literary roots.
Laylah derives from the Arabic word 'layl' meaning 'night'. It is a variant of the name Layla, which appears in pre-Islamic Arabic poetry and is famously associated with the tragic love story of Layla and Majnun. The name has been used across the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and spread internationally through literature and cultural exchange.
Where Laylah 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: Lay, Lala, Lulu
Sibling names for Laylah
Names that share Laylah's style, for a brother or sister.
