Declining since 2013, #2,368 for girls today.
Popularity of Lela since 1880
Babies named Lela per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1921, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Lela's real moment was 1897.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,915 |
| 1890s | 3,892 |
| 1900s | 4,473 |
| 1910s | 7,007 |
| 1920s | 7,840 |
| 1930s | 4,619 |
| 1940s | 3,362 |
| 1950s | 2,382 |
| 1960s | 1,478 |
| 1970s | 1,068 |
| 1980s | 864 |
| 1990s | 687 |
| 2000s | 1,380 |
| 2010s | 1,467 |
| 2020s | 571 |
Meaning & origin
Lela has a quiet, vintage charm that has seen fluctuating usage over the decades. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in 1897 and has since declined, having been on a falling trajectory since 2013. In 2025, it ranked 2,368, with approximately 1 in 21,148 newborns receiving the name. Its strongest historical presence was in Tennessee, Ohio, and Georgia. While sharing roots with the more popular Leila and Layla, Lela offers a distinct and less common alternative that retains a soft, melodic sound.
Lela is often considered a variant of Leila or Lelia. Leila has Arabic origins, meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty', and was popularized in the West through literature such as Byron's 'The Giaour'. Lelia may have Latin roots. Lela emerged as a given name in the late 19th century, likely as a respelling or diminutive.
Where Lela 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
Sibling names for Lela
Names that share Lela's style, for a brother or sister.
