Layla is primarily a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning “night” or “dark beauty.” It’s pronounced LAY-lah, with the emphasis on the first syllable.
Meaning of the Name Layla
Layla comes from the Arabic word “laylah” (ليلى), which means “night,” “dark,” or “dark beauty.” In some interpretations, it can also mean “born at night” or symbolize someone with a deep, mysterious quality. The name carries connotations of beauty, darkness, and romance across many cultures.
Historical Significance of Layla
Layla has deep roots in Arabic culture and literature. Most famously, it appears in the 7th-century Arabic love story “Layla and Majnun,” one of the most well-known Middle Eastern romantic tales. This story tells of a man named Qays who falls deeply in love with Layla but goes mad (becoming “Majnun,” which means “possessed”) when he cannot be with her. The story has been retold throughout centuries across many cultures.
In Western culture, the name gained significant popularity after Eric Clapton and Jim Gordon released their song “Layla” in 1970, which was inspired by the ancient Arabian love story.
Common Nicknames for Layla
- Lay
- Layla-belle
- Lala
- Laylabug
- Leila
- Lee
How Popular Is Layla?
Layla has been steadily popular in the United States since the early 2000s. It first entered the top 100 names in 2006 and has remained there since, often ranking between #20-30 in recent years. The name saw a significant boost after Eric Clapton’s song “Layla” became a rock classic, and again when it was re-released as an acoustic version in 1992.
In the UK, Australia, and Canada, Layla also maintains steady popularity, though it tends to rank slightly lower than in the US.
| Year | US Rank |
|---|---|
| 2020 | #24 |
| 2021 | #22 |
| 2022 | #25 |
| 2023 | #24 |
| 2024 | #23 |
Famous People Named Layla
- Layla El – Former WWE wrestler and model
- Layla Kiffin – Former wife of football coach Lane Kiffin and TV personality
- Layla Moran – British Liberal Democrat politician
- Layla Alizada – Afghan-Canadian actress
- Layla Kayleigh – British television personality and presenter
- Layla Roberts – American model and actress
Fictional Characters Named Layla
- Layla Miller – Character from Marvel Comics with precognitive abilities
- Layla Williams – Character in the film “Sky High”
- Layla Keating – Character in the TV series “All American”
- Layla El-Faouly – Character in Marvel’s “Moon Knight” TV series
- Layla Hamilton – Character from the anime “Kaleido Star”
Layla in Literature and Pop Culture
Layla has made numerous appearances in various forms of media:
- “Layla” – The famous rock song by Derek and the Dominos (featuring Eric Clapton), inspired by Clapton’s unrequited love for Pattie Boyd
- “Layla and Majnun” – The classic 7th-century Arabic love poem by Nizami Ganjavi
- “Another Day in Paradise” by Layla AlAmmar – Contemporary novel
- Layla appears as a character in multiple young adult novels and romance books
- Featured in several contemporary songs beyond Clapton’s, including ones by Jack Johnson and John Legend
Personality Traits Associated with Layla
People named Layla are often perceived as:
- Creative and artistic
- Mysterious and intriguing
- Passionate and emotional
- Independent thinkers
- Charismatic and sociable
- Strong-willed yet sensitive
- Romantic and idealistic
Of course, these are just cultural associations – a person’s actual personality is shaped by far more than just their name!
Similar Names to Layla
- Leila
- Lila
- Lola
- Lyla
- Leyla
- Laila
- Lily
- Luna
Alternate Spellings for Layla
- Laila
- Leila
- Leyla
- Laylah
- Leilah
- Leylah
- Laela
Pronunciation Variations Around the World
- English: LAY-lah
- Arabic: LIE-lah (ليلى)
- French: LIE-la
- Spanish: LAI-la
- Italian: LAY-la
- German: LIE-la
Parents Who Like Layla Also Like
For girls:
- Maya
- Zara
- Nora
- Amara
- Isla
- Aria
- Lila
For boys:
- Kai
- Luca
- Amir
- Leo
- Ezra
- Noah
Baby Name Lists That Include Layla
- Musical-inspired Baby Names
- Arabic Names with Beautiful Meanings
- Lyrical Girl Names
- Names Inspired by Literature
- Multicultural Names That Work Well in Western Countries
- Names with Night-Related Meanings
- Popular Names with Deep Cultural History
Layla for Both Genders
While Layla is predominantly used for girls, there are some rare instances of it being used for boys, particularly in some Middle Eastern cultures. However, in Western countries, it remains almost exclusively feminine. The masculine counterpart in Arabic would be “Layl” (meaning “night”), though this is not commonly used as a name.
Sibling Name Ideas
For Sisters:
- Amara
- Sofia
- Maya
- Aaliyah
- Zara
- Nadia
- Lila
For Brothers:
- Zayn
- Kai
- Amir
- Elias
- Leo
- Rami
- Aiden
Names with the Same Meaning as Layla
- Luna (Latin for “moon”)
- Nisha (Sanskrit for “night”)
- Thea (Greek for “goddess of light” – opposite meaning but complementary)
- Stella (Latin for “star” – night-related)
- Cyra (Persian for “sun/throne” but often associated with light and dark)
First Impressions of Layla
When people hear the name Layla, they often think:
- Musical and lyrical
- Exotic yet familiar
- Romantic and passionate
- Strong yet feminine
- Timeless with a modern feel
- Mysterious and intriguing
Celebrity Babies Named Layla
- Layla Khloe – Daughter of UK soccer player Jermaine Pennant
- Layla Louise – Daughter of British singer Simon Webbe
- Layla Paige – Daughter of American wrestler Ronda Rousey
- Layla Marie – Daughter of former NFL player Torrey Smith
- Layla Grace – Daughter of British soccer player Ashley Young
Songs About Layla
- “Layla” – Derek and the Dominos (Eric Clapton)
- “Layla’s Stars” – Jack Johnson
- “Layla” – Eric Clapton (Unplugged version)
- “Layla London” – The Smiths
- “You’ve Got Me Wrapped Around Your Little Finger: A Song for Layla” – Nizlopi
Famous Quotes About Layla
“Like a fool, I fell in love with you, turned my whole world upside down” – From “Layla” by Eric Clapton
“What will you tell these children about me? Tell them I was the greatest stick and ball player of all time. Tell them I could run a mile in a minute. Tell me I once did the foxtrot with the Queen of England. You can tell them anything you like, but remember, Layla, these children believe in your words.” – From “Another Day in Paradise” by Layla AlAmmar
Layla in Different Languages
- Arabic: ليلى (Layla)
- French: Leïla
- Spanish: Leila
- Turkish: Leyla
- Persian: لیلا (Leila)
- Hebrew: לילה (Laila)
- Greek: Λέιλα (Leila)
Name Combinations for Layla
First and Middle Name Combinations:
- Layla Rose
- Layla Grace
- Layla Marie
- Layla Jade
- Layla Elizabeth
- Layla Sophia
- Layla June
As a Middle Name:
- Sophia Layla
- Emma Layla
- Aria Layla
- Isabella Layla
- Zoe Layla
Comments from Parents of Children Named Layla
“We named our daughter Layla because we loved the song, but also the meaning behind it. She’s now 6 and totally lives up to her name – mysterious, creative, and full of passion about everything she does!”
“Our Layla is 3 now, and we still get compliments on her name. It’s familiar enough that people can spell it but unique enough that she’s the only one in her preschool.”
“We went with the spelling ‘Laila’ for our daughter, but we still pronounce it the same way. I love that it has roots in multiple cultures and languages.”
“I worried Layla might be too trendy, but now that she’s here, I can’t imagine her with any other name. It’s the perfect balance of strong and feminine.”
“As parents from different cultural backgrounds, we wanted a name that worked well in both our families. Layla was perfect – it has Arabic origins but is easily pronounced in English.”