MallowbyNames

Liyla

LEE-lah · Uncertain; likely a modern phonological variant of Layla, itself meaning 'night' in Arabic.

2025 rank (girls)
#10,917
Babies named in 2025
8
Peak popularity
2020
2025 frequency
1 in 200,908 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Holding steady

Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.

Popularity of Liyla since 2009

Babies named Liyla per year in U.S. Social Security records.

591420102020Most births 2020Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
2000s7
2010s101
2020s54

Meaning & origin

Liyla is a modern respelling of Layla, a name of Arabic origin meaning 'night.' First recorded in U.S. data in 2009, Liyla has remained rare, with its highest rank of 10,917 in 2025. The name has never cracked the top 5,000, and its trajectory has been relatively stable, with a peak in popularity in 2020. While Layla has been a top-100 name in recent decades, Liyla sits far below, appealing to parents seeking a familiar sound with a distinctive spelling. The name has not been popular enough to appear in top state rankings, remaining a niche choice nationwide.

Liyla is a modern English spelling variant of Layla, a name derived from the Arabic word 'laylah' meaning 'night.' The Layla form entered English usage in the 19th century through literary and cultural exchange, often associated with the medieval Arabic tale of Layla and Majnun. Liyla emerged as a respelling in the early 21st century, part of a trend of distinctive spellings for traditional names.

Nicknames & variants

Nicknames: Lee, Lay

Variants: Layla, Leila, Laila, Leyla, Laylah

Sibling names for Liyla

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

Sisters: Maya, Ayla, Nora, Zara, Lena

Brothers: Noah, Ethan, Liam, Miles, Caleb

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

L is for Liyla, our favorite little girl.

L is for Liyla…”

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

Make Liyla's book

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

Questions parents ask

What does the name Liyla mean?
Liyla is a variant of Layla, which comes from the Arabic word for 'night.' The specific spelling Liyla does not have an independent meaning; it is a modern respelling.
How popular is Liyla currently?
As of 2025, Liyla is very rare, ranking 10,917th in the United States, with approximately 1 in 200,908 girls given the name that year.
Is Liyla a boy or girl name?
Liyla is almost exclusively used as a girl's name.