The nameLeyla
Leyla is the Turkish and Persian form of Layla, the heroine of a great love story.
- Girl's name
- Arabic
Meaning
Leyla comes from the Arabic layl, "night", often understood as "dark beauty".
Origin
Arabic, through Turkish and Persian.
History
Layla and Majnun is a legendary tale of impossible love, retold by the Persian poet Nizami. In England and Wales Leyla reached 224th in 2011.
Famous people named Leyla
- Leyla Zana, Kurdish politician
- Leyla Aliyeva, Azerbaijani public figure
Popularity of the name Leyla
Leyla in the United States
Leyla was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 4,094 births over the decade, 41% of all recorded babies named Leyla. Its rise began around 1972, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Leyla in the United States were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 486 births a year on average, against 421 in the five years before.
Leyla in the United Kingdom
Leyla was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 1,330 births over the decade, 45% of all recorded babies named Leyla. Half of all babies named Leyla in the United Kingdom were born before 2012, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 108 births a year.
Leyla in France
Leyla in Belgium
Leyla in Switzerland
Leyla in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Leyla
Names from the same generation as Leyla, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Leyla? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Leyla with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Leyla side by side with the name of your choice.
Leyla in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Leyla mean?
Leyla comes from the Arabic layl, "night", often understood as "dark beauty".
What is the origin of the name Leyla?
Arabic, through Turkish and Persian.
Is Leyla a girl's or a boy's name?
Leyla is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Leyla?
In 2024, Leyla was the 601st most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 499 births.
What are the variants of the name Leyla?
Variants and related names of Leyla include Leila.
What are good sibling names for Leyla?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Aya, Alia, Zainab and Noor for a sister, Samir, Hamza, Rayan and Hassan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Leyla?
Leyla Zana, Kurdish politician; Leyla Aliyeva, Azerbaijani public figure.