MallowbyNames

Leila

LAY-lah · Dark beauty or night.

2025 rank (girls)
#259
Babies named in 2025
1,193
Peak popularity
1891
2025 frequency
1 in 1,347 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Rising since 1991

A 1890s favorite, climbing again.

Popularity of Leila since 1880

Babies named Leila per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2010, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Leila's real moment was 1891.

5031k1.5k1880192019602000Most births 2010Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1880s1,079
1890s1,588
1900s1,529
1910s2,830
1920s3,340
1930s2,473
1940s1,852
1950s1,740
1960s1,578
1970s1,624
1980s2,106
1990s2,177
2000s9,904
2010s13,914
2020s7,702

Meaning & origin

Leila has been a consistent presence on American baby name charts since official records began in 1880. It peaked at rank 17 in 1891, a time when many Arabic-derived names were fashionable. After declining for decades, it began rising again in 1991, reflecting a broader revival of classic, melodic names. As of 2025, it ranks 259th, with about 1 in 1,347 girls receiving the name. The name is especially popular in Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington, D.C., showing its appeal in diverse regions. Its longevity and cross-cultural resonance make it a familiar yet distinctive choice.

Leila is an English spelling of the Arabic name Layla, meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.' The name has been used in the Arabic-speaking world for centuries and spread to English-speaking countries via literary works such as Byron's 'The Giaour' (1813) and later popular songs. Its soft, melodic sound contributed to its enduring appeal.

Where Leila 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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Leila” around the world

Where Leila lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    305

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    12

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    24

    babies in 2025

  • Quebec

    48

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Lay, Lee

Variants: Layla, Laila, Leilah, Leyla

Sibling names for Leila

Names that share Leila's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Lila, Nora, Zara, Amira, Maya, Aaliyah, Danna, Jada, Mia, Nia, Reese, Aleah, Aleia, Alita, Aliyah, Anaya, Ariyah, Ayana, Ayla, Carina, Elissa, Jaida, Jaliyah, Jayna, Kaela, Kaiya, Kala, Kami, Kamilah, Keila, Kesha, Keyla, Kiah, Layan, Naya, Nya, Nyah, Raina, Raya, Rayna, Rihanna, Shakira, Shyla, Soraya, Taliyah, Taya, Tehya, Tyra, Yasmeen, Yasmine, Ziya, Aida, Aleeah, Aleyah, Alizae, Alizah, Alya, Alyna, Anai, Analiyah, Ara, Arika, Aziyah, Candra, Dalilah, Damya, Danya, Jaela, Jailah, Kadijah, Kaira, Karizma, Karyme, Keana, Kena, Keya, Khali, Kiya, Kiyah, Kyana, Kyara, Lamya, Layah, Marya, Monae, Nadeen, Nailah, Naiya, Nayomi, Neida, Nida, Nyra, Raisa, Reema, Risa, Saba, Sabra, Sana, Saniah, Saray, Sariya, Sayra, Shala, Shanya, Sheyla, Sina, Tahlia, Tala, Talaya, Tyana, Yasmina, Zahara, Zaira, Zari, Zayna, Zoraida, Aariyah, Adeena, Ahmya, Aicha, Aixa, Aiya, Ajia, Akila, Akiya, Alania, Aleeya, Alinah, Alinna, Alishba, Aloni, Alyiah, Alyzah, Amariyah, Amel, Amera, Amila, Amylah, Amyrah, Anari, Anniyah, Asra, Avina, Ayanah, Ayzal, Caiya, Camia, Ceirra, Chanta, Daila, Emina, Evani, Faiza, Gila, Jadira, Jaidah, Jalah, Jaleen, Jaliah, Jamea, Jamica, Jasmina, Jaysa, Jeniah, Kahla, Kaiah, Kalilah, Kamori, Kareema, Kayah, Kayda, Keianna, Khaila, Khyra, Kiahna, Kitzia, Labria, Lahna, Lama, Lamiya, Lamiyah, Layal, Madai, Makya, Maleia, Meelah, Meher, Meika, Mesha, Mianna, Mikaya, Mikela, Mikia, Milaya, Minha, Mirah, Miraya, Mirha, Myanna, Mylia, Nadiyah, Nalia, Nariya, Nayah, Neyda, Niylah, Noha, Nura, Nyari, Nyia, Omaira, Raeya, Raia, Ramiya, Rayana, Riane, Rinoa, Riyah, Ruba, Saleen, Samayah, Sameera, Samyra, Sanah, Sephora, Seriyah, Shalimar, Shariah, Shyra, Suni, Suraya, Taia, Taija, Taijah, Taira, Tajah, Tamaya, Teala, Tiandra, Tiya, Tiyana, Tiyanna, Zaia, Zaliyah, Zoraya, Zyah, Zyana, Aalaya, Aaria, Aariya, Adana, Adeya, Ahlia, Ahmiya, Ahniya, Ahria, Aiesha, Ailah, Aiyah, Alayia, Aliyanah, Alylah, Amahia, Amali, Ameira, Amiera, Amika, Amiria, Anaaya, Anaisha, Analiya, Anija, Anira, Aniyha, Anysa, Arayna, Areesha, Arha, Arriyah, Ashana, Ashayla, Auda, Avya, Ayianna, Aylissa, Aysa, Azriella, Beya, Bisma, Braya, Caya, Chakira, Cyla, Danasha, Dariya, Diani, Eilah, Elaysia, Emira, Hania, Iliyah, Ilyana, Irania, Jaima, Jaira, Jajaira, Jameah, Janila, Jaysha, Jeyla, Jla, Kacia, Kadeja, Kalii, Kamile, Kamira, Kamyrah, Karem, Kasiyah, Kearah, Kemiya, Ketra, Khia, Kiaya, Kyliah, Mahum, Maisa, Makira, Meli, Miakoda, Mieka, Milisa, Mithra, Nadiah, Naveya, Nayda, Naysa, Nazanin, Niana, Niaomi, Niaya, Nyliah, Omaria, Pariss, Pharrah, Rashi, Rehanna, Riyana, Safiyya, Sairah, Saiya, Sala, Sameerah, Sanaia, Sanari, Sani, Sanyia, Sehar, Shanik, Sharmin, Shiya, Shya, Siarah, Suad, Tahja, Taila, Takita, Tamanna, Tamea, Tamu, Teila, Teyla, Tiaira, Tianah, Tiye, Tuleen, Wateen, Xamira, Yanel, Yasamin, Yeira, Yesli, Zahirah, Zahria, Zalika, Zamira, Zareth, Zhara, Arilla, Armiyah, Ayssa, Danira, Jayel, Jnya, Niala, Shayra, Toshua, Aaleeyah, Abia, Adiva, Ahsha, Aiylah, Ajanay, Akeila, Akesha, Alanya, Alazae, Aliea, Alisah, Alliya, Allyiah, Alysah, Ameka, Amiylah, Amreen, Amyre, Anaija, Aneeka, Angala, Annikah, Ariba, Arita, Ariyel, Arriah, Ashyla, Asyah, Aunya, Ayeshia, Azylah, Baneen, Casha, Ceasia, Cerria, Ciella, Cyenna, Daisa, Daizha, Dajai, Dakia, Dalida, Danahi, Danayah, Darria, Dashay, Deaisha, Denya, Deya, Deyani, Deysha, Emyah, Enisa, Etana, Fabiha, Farin, Hanae, Haniah, Heela, Ishia, Jadda, Jahira, Jahnai, Jaisha, Jamala, Jaryah, Jasmene, Jaylaa, Jnai, Julani, Kalya, Kasarah, Kasmira, Keiera, Keina, Kieana, Kitara, Laira, Lakiah, Lalena, Lamara, Lanyla, Layaan, Linah, Macaiah, Maiza, Maneh, Masiel, Mauriah, Maylah, Maysun, Meilah, Metha, Minsa, Mitra, Naika, Narah, Narmeen, Nashia, Naviyah, Nayari, Nayellie, Nayleah, Neelah, Nejla, Nioka, Niyomi, Nury, Phiona, Qianna, Qiara, Raisha, Reha, Rikia, Ruhee, Rula, Ryiah, Saelah, Saila, Saree, Sashia, Sedra, Semiyah, Seraya, Shaasia, Shahrzad, Shaia, Shaili, Shalika, Sham, Shamina, Shareen, Shyna, Siniya, Sira, Smaya, Soniyah, Sophea, Symia, Taeja, Taela, Taiyana, Tajia, Tarae, Tayjah, Teira, Tenea, Tinaya, Tyianna, Umeka, Waniya, Xayah, Yasaman, Yassmine, Zaharah, Zarahi, Zaryia, Ziasia, Zineb

Brothers: Amir, Elias, Samir, Omar, Kai, Kobe, Aryan, Davon, Jamel, Jarius, Lemar, Marquan, Riyan, Tariq, Yahir, Amere, Amil, Anay, Azai, Darious, Diante, Djuan, Idris, Itzae, Jakobi, Jameer, Jawan, Jayvion, Jomar, Keyan, Kylon, Martez, Najee, Nikko, Nyjah, Quadir, Rayaan, Shia, Tyreke, Yamil, Zamir, Adal, Adyan, Akim, Alias, Amire, Aquil, Arath, Arhan, Aymen, Azhar, Damier, Fareed, Jahan, Jahmel, Jamaris, Jamiel, Jayro, Jeremih, Jibran, Kalab, Kasai, Kassim, Kawan, Kayin, Kazi, Khary, Kiyon, Lamari, Nakai, Namari, Namir, Navid, Oumar, Rael, Raheen, Rahmel, Reza, Riyaan, Saahil, Samaj, Shah, Shaheem, Shaheen, Shakeem, Sharan, Siraj, Takari, Teon, Tevon, Tyreik, Wanya, Yamir, Zahmir, Zakee, Zalen, Zaydan, Zidan, Aadam, Aashir, Adis, Ahmaud, Ahmon, Alem, Amer, Amyr, Aryaan, Aryon, Barack, Cavon, Chamar, Damiri, Danyal, Demar, Derius, Devean, Dhilan, Eyoel, Ghazi, Hassen, Idriss, Imir, Jahaan, Jakel, Jamai, Jameal, Jasai, Jasier, Jayjay, Jovonni, Jovonte, Kalief, Kamali, Kamare, Kashon, Kayo, Keano, Kewan, Khalel, Khalon, Khani, Khizar, Kinan, Kishon, Kiyaan, Lejon, Lequan, Masin, Maykel, Mikhi, Nahzir, Nayib, Nijel, Omere, Ousman, Rafay, Raif, Rakai, Ryaan, Sabri, Sahmir, Syair, Taje, Tarius, Terek, Traivon, Tyheim, Yaziel, Yomar, Zaidan, Zaryan, Zavian, Zayvon, Zevin, Daruis, Kache, Yahsir, Aaban, Aarib, Akil, Anes, Aras, Ariez, Arkeem, Armari, Asil, Ayad, Basem, Derrico, Dhani, Ejay, Equan, Fateh, Fennec, Gahel, Hairo, Isahia, Ismar, Jacai, Jahmil, Jahron, Jaimin, Jaimir, Jaja, Jamail, Jamair, Jazir, Jovaun, Kadar, Kaelem, Kahil, Kaisan, Kalet, Kamai, Kashe, Kasheem, Kavian, Kayvan, Kendarrius, Khalin, Kire, Kobee, Kyrel, Lavie, Malic, Mian, Mounir, Mykale, Nahsir, Nameer, Neco, Nyheim, Nyron, Rafan, Ramal, Riaz, Saban, Sadiel, Seyon, Shadee, Sharbel, Shervin, Tahje, Tamaj, Tarez, Toben, Yosmar, Zamarian, Zamire, Zeric, Zhamir, Zinedine, Zoraiz

Names like Leila

Names whose popularity has moved with Leila's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

L is for Leila, our favorite little girl.

L is for Leila…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Leila's letter becomes Leila's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Leila's book

Books for siblings or grandkids? The second book is 15% off.

Questions parents ask

What does the name Leila mean?
Leila means 'night' or 'dark beauty' and comes from the Arabic word layl, meaning 'night.'
How popular is the name Leila currently?
As of 2025, Leila ranked 259th in the United States, with approximately 1 in every 1,347 baby girls given the name that year.
Is Leila a girl's name or a boy's name?
Leila is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.