Origin, Meaning, And History of Layla
Layla is a feminine name of Arabic, Persian, and Hebrew origin, meaning ‘night’ or the ‘dark beauty.’ The name Layla has many common spellings, such as Leila, Laila, Laela, Laelah, Leilah, Leela, Laylah, and Leylah. It is pronounced as lah-EE-lah, LAY-luh, or LAY-lah.
There are many variations of the name Layla that sound almost similar to it. Leila is one such example. Many celebrity women bear the name Leila. For example, Leila Lopes, an Angolan model and actress was crowned Miss Universe in 2011 and Leila Pahlavi, the Princess of Iran.
The love story of Layla and Qays depicts unrequited love is so popular that was later revisited by the Persian poet Nezami Ganjavi through his poem ‘Layla and Majnun’ in the 12th century. It gathered immense admiration during the medieval era in Persia and Arabia, which is most likely the reason for the popularity of the name Layla since those times.
In popular culture, there are many instances of the name Layla as a famous fictional character. Leyla Harding from the British TV soap opera ‘Emmerdale,’ Layla Miller from the ‘Marvel Universe,’ Leila, a character from ‘Final Fantasy II,’ Layla Heartfilia from the Japanese series ‘Fairy Tail,’ and Layla Hassan, the character from the video-game series ‘Assassin’s Creed.’ The story of ‘Layla and Majnum’ dates back to the era of 7th century romantic poetry in Arabia.
In the US, singer Eric Patrick Clapton popularized the name with his song ‘Layla.’ It was based on his inspiration from the love story of ‘Layla and Majnum.’ The name Layla is mostly given to baby girls born in the nighttime, signifying the beauty of the night sky.
Layla
How To Pronounce Layla ?
Famous People With The Name Layla
- Layla Ali4American television personality and the daughter of the professional boxer Muhammad Ali
- Layla KaylifBritish singer and songwriter released her first album Enough Rope in 1999
- Layla ElBritish model, wrestler, and dancer who was with WWE from 2006 to 2015
- Leila HyamsAmerican model and actress with a short acting career that began in 1924 and ended in 1936
- Leila GoldkuhlAmerican model who has worked with fashion brands such as Calvin Klein, Givenchy, and Herve Leger
Layla On The Popularity Chart
According to the graph issued by the Social Security Administration, Layla’s popularity witnessed a steady rise in 2001. Let’s check its popularity and ranking.
Popularity Over Time
In the 1980s and 90s, the popularity of Layla was not significant. However, in the 2000s, it became remarkably high, touching its peak in 2019 when 6,500 babies per million had this name. Check the graph to know its popularity trend in detail.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
From 1980 to the late 1990s, the rank of Layla saw several fluctuations. However, during the 2000s, its rank started improving significantly. In 2021, Layla stood at rank 25. Check the graph to understand more.
Source: Social Security AdministrationNames With Similar Sound As Layla
Looking for a name that sounds similar to Layla but with a twist? Consider the following choices.
Popular Sibling Names For Layla
Names With the Same Meaning As Layla
Layla is a short and simple name that portrays the beauty of the night sky. If you want a different name with the same meaning, check out these options.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
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In Sign Language
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In Braille Alphabet
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In Morse Code
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Name Numerology For Layla
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Layla a Bible name?
The name Layla does not appear in the Bible but it is used as a variation of the name Delilah. Delilah appears in the Book of Judges and is known for her beauty. The name Layla is of Arabic origin.
2. How do you say Layla in French?
The name Layla is spelled ‘Leila’ in French.
3. Does Layla mean dark princess?
Layla doesn’t directly mean dark princess but it can be interpreted this way as the feminine name means dark beauty. Thus, it can be chosen for a girl born in the night.
4. Is Layla a goddess’s name?
No, Layla is not a goddess. However, some goddesses in different cultures and mythologies are associated with darkness or night.
