Leila Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Leila Name Meaning

Fact: The name Leila has adaptations in different languages, such as Laila in Scandinavian countries and Leyla in Turkish.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Leila Overview

Meaning

Night, dark

Gender

Girl

Origin

Arabic

Etymology

Derived from the Arabic word “laylah,” meaning “night.”

Religion

Islam

Pronunciation

/ˈleɪlə/

Popularity

Leila is cherished in many cultures, including the Middle East, Europe, and the USA. In 2023, Leila ranked #185 for girls in the USA.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

5 letters

Numerology

3 (Expressive, Social, Artistic)

Name Styles

Exotic, Popular, Cool

Associated Traits

Graceful, mysterious, elegant

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

Often associated with beauty and romance in Persian and Arabic literature, symbolizing the allure of the night.

Name Day

August 19 (Latvia)
A Deep Dive

Leila Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Layla, Laila, Leilah, Leyla, Leela, Lailah, Laela, Laylah

Common Nicknames

Elle, Ellie, Lala

Diminutives

Lili, Lea, Lee

Famous People

  • Leila Bekhti
    (French Actress)
  • Leila Khaled
    (Palestinian Activist)
  • Leila Lopes
    (Angolan Beauty Queen)
  • Leila Hatami
    (Iranian Actress)
  • Leila Denmark
    (American Pediatrician)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Leila
    ("We Hunt the Flame," Novel)
  • Leila
    ("Leila," TV Series)
  • Leila
    ("Doctor Who," TV Series)
  • Leila
    ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," Film)
  • Leila
    ("Leila's Dream," Children's Book)

Places

  • Leila Arboretum
    (Michigan, USA)
  • Leila North Community School Park
    (Manitoba, Canada)

What Is the Meaning of Leila?

Leila means “night” or “dark beauty.” It conveys a sense of mystery and elegance.

What Is the Origin of The Name Leila?

The name Leila has Arabic roots, derived from the Arabic word “layl,” which means “night.” It has been used in Persian literature and culture for centuries, symbolizing beauty and romance.

Leila Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Leila in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#2142021#2462022#2392023
Top 3 Rankings#1631880#1671885#1701888

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Leila

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023239
(+7 from 2022)
1263
(+21 from 2022)
0.07220
2022246
(-32 from 2021)
1242
(-142 from 2021)
0.06927
2021214
(-9 from 2020)
1384
(-24 from 2020)
0.07725
2020205
(+20 from 2019)
1408
(+21 from 2019)
0.07965
2019225
(+14 from 2018)
1387
(+29 from 2018)
0.07559
2018239
(-19 from 2017)
1358
(-50 from 2017)
0.07302
2017220
(+9 from 2016)
1408
(+15 from 2016)
0.07453
2016229
(+19 from 2015)
1393
(+87 from 2015)
0.07196
2015248
(-5 from 2014)
1306
(-25 from 2014)
0.06694
2014243
(-28 from 2013)
1331
(-141 from 2013)
0.06804
2013215
(+19 from 2012)
1472
(+107 from 2012)
0.07636
2012234
(-3 from 2011)
1365
(-12 from 2011)
0.07038
2011231
(-26 from 2010)
1377
(-132 from 2010)
0.07106
2010205
(+33 from 2009)
1509
(+119 from 2009)
0.07696
2009238
(-12 from 2008)
1390
(-108 from 2008)
0.06864
2008226
(+25 from 2007)
1498
(+105 from 2007)
0.07192
2007251
(+34 from 2006)
1393
(+232 from 2006)
0.06582
2006285
(+23 from 2005)
1161
(+118 from 2005)
0.05554
2005308
(+47 from 2004)
1043
(+150 from 2004)
0.05139
2004355
(-10 from 2003)
893
No change from 2003
0.04426
2003345
(+105 from 2002)
893
(+255 from 2002)
0.04451
2002450
(+42 from 2001)
638
(+72 from 2001)
0.03230
2001492
(+103 from 2000)
566
(+139 from 2000)
0.02857
2000595
(+139 from 1999)
427
(+121 from 1999)
0.02140
1999734
No change from 1998
306
(+9 from 1998)
0.01572
1998734
(+196 from 1997)
297
(+84 from 1997)
0.01532
1997930
(+106 from 1996)
213
(+33 from 1996)
0.01116
19961036
(-159 from 1995)
180
(-37 from 1995)
0.00939
1995877
(+118 from 1994)
217
(+31 from 1994)
0.01129
1994995
(-46 from 1993)
186
(-13 from 1993)
0.00954
1993949
(+20 from 1992)
199
(+2 from 1992)
0.01009
1992969
(-17 from 1991)
197
(-2 from 1991)
0.00983
1991952
(+45 from 1990)
199
(+16 from 1990)
0.00979
1990997
(-89 from 1989)
183
(-17 from 1989)
0.00891
1989908
(-84 from 1988)
200
(-21 from 1988)
0.01004
1988824
(-9 from 1987)
221
(+6 from 1987)
0.01149
1987815
(-24 from 1986)
215
(+3 from 1986)
0.01147
1986791
(-22 from 1985)
212
(-8 from 1985)
0.01149
1985769
(+13 from 1984)
220
(+15 from 1984)
0.01192
1984782
(-24 from 1983)
205
(-8 from 1983)
0.01137
1983758
(+16 from 1982)
213
(+1 from 1982)
0.01190
1982774
(-39 from 1981)
212
(-12 from 1981)
0.01169
1981735
(+110 from 1980)
224
(+40 from 1980)
0.01252
1980845
(-41 from 1979)
184
(-12 from 1979)
0.01033
1979804
(+1 from 1978)
196
(+10 from 1978)
0.01137
1978805
(-21 from 1977)
186
(-6 from 1977)
0.01131
1977784
(+70 from 1976)
192
(+32 from 1976)
0.01167
1976854
(-5 from 1975)
160
(+3 from 1975)
0.01018
1975849
(-2 from 1974)
157
(+2 from 1974)
0.01006
1974847
(+33 from 1973)
155
(+10 from 1973)
0.00990
1973880
(+18 from 1972)
145
(+5 from 1972)
0.00933
1972898
(-56 from 1971)
140
(-23 from 1971)
0.00868
1971842
(+130 from 1970)
163
(+33 from 1970)
0.00930
1970972
(-65 from 1969)
130
(-6 from 1969)
0.00710
1969907
(+106 from 1968)
136
(+31 from 1968)
0.00772
19681013
(-163 from 1967)
105
(-36 from 1967)
0.00614
1967850
(-106 from 1966)
141
(-34 from 1966)
0.00821
1966744
(+114 from 1965)
175
(+39 from 1965)
0.00997
1965858
(-32 from 1964)
136
(-25 from 1964)
0.00744
1964826
(-33 from 1963)
161
(-10 from 1963)
0.00823
1963793
(-40 from 1962)
171
(-19 from 1962)
0.00860
1962753
No change from 1961
190
(-1 from 1961)
0.00937
1961753
(+26 from 1960)
191
(+19 from 1960)
0.00920
1960779
(-52 from 1959)
172
(-20 from 1959)
0.00827
1959727
(+74 from 1958)
192
(+35 from 1958)
0.00924
1958801
(-52 from 1957)
157
(-20 from 1957)
0.00760
1957749
(-38 from 1956)
177
(-5 from 1956)
0.00844
1956711
(-1 from 1955)
182
(+5 from 1955)
0.00884
1955710
(-54 from 1954)
177
(-18 from 1954)
0.00883
1954656
(+24 from 1953)
195
(+19 from 1953)
0.00979
1953680
(+23 from 1952)
176
(+15 from 1952)
0.00912
1952703
(+2 from 1951)
161
(+7 from 1951)
0.00846
1951705
(-48 from 1950)
154
(-15 from 1950)
0.00834
1950657
(-41 from 1949)
169
(-11 from 1949)
0.00961
1949616
(+53 from 1948)
180
(+24 from 1948)
0.01025
1948669
(-39 from 1947)
156
(-21 from 1947)
0.00895
1947630
(-15 from 1946)
177
(+11 from 1946)
0.00974
1946615
(-63 from 1945)
166
(-10 from 1945)
0.01029
1945552
(-38 from 1944)
176
(-21 from 1944)
0.01307
1944514
(+10 from 1943)
197
(-7 from 1943)
0.01442
1943524
(-3 from 1942)
204
(+1 from 1942)
0.01421
1942521
(-39 from 1941)
203
(-8 from 1941)
0.01460
1941482
(+32 from 1940)
211
(+29 from 1940)
0.01693
1940514
(-12 from 1939)
182
(+5 from 1939)
0.01541
1939502
(-20 from 1938)
177
(-13 from 1938)
0.01561
1938482
(-64 from 1937)
190
(-49 from 1937)
0.01665
1937418
(+55 from 1936)
239
(+56 from 1936)
0.02169
1936473
(-55 from 1935)
183
(-57 from 1935)
0.01698
1935418
(+5 from 1934)
240
(-1 from 1934)
0.02208
1934423
(-50 from 1933)
241
(-53 from 1933)
0.02227
1933373
(-7 from 1932)
294
(-11 from 1932)
0.02811
1932366
(+17 from 1931)
305
(+18 from 1931)
0.02757
1931383
(+3 from 1930)
287
(-30 from 1930)
0.02600
1930386
(+10 from 1929)
317
(+32 from 1929)
0.02718
1929396
(+8 from 1928)
285
(+6 from 1928)
0.02462
1928404
(-11 from 1927)
279
(-27 from 1927)
0.02334
1927393
(-7 from 1926)
306
(-7 from 1926)
0.02475
1926386
(-19 from 1925)
313
(-31 from 1925)
0.02544
1925367
(-8 from 1924)
344
(-21 from 1924)
0.02724
1924359
(+3 from 1923)
365
(+30 from 1923)
0.02817
1923362
(-20 from 1922)
335
(-28 from 1922)
0.02675
1922342
(+14 from 1921)
363
(+18 from 1921)
0.02910
1921356
(-33 from 1920)
345
(-60 from 1920)
0.02696
1920323
No change from 1919
405
(+21 from 1919)
0.03256
1919323
(+13 from 1918)
384
(+15 from 1918)
0.03269
1918336
(-3 from 1917)
369
(+17 from 1917)
0.03069
1917333
(-17 from 1916)
352
(-16 from 1916)
0.03133
1916316
(-9 from 1915)
368
(+5 from 1915)
0.03389
1915307
(+20 from 1914)
363
(+104 from 1914)
0.03545
1914327
(-15 from 1913)
259
(+25 from 1913)
0.03251
1913312
(+13 from 1912)
234
(+39 from 1912)
0.03573
1912325
(+6 from 1911)
195
(+52 from 1911)
0.03324
1911331
(-27 from 1910)
143
(-20 from 1910)
0.03237
1910304
(-8 from 1909)
163
(+18 from 1909)
0.03885
1909296
(-8 from 1908)
145
(-5 from 1908)
0.03939
1908288
(-26 from 1907)
150
(-21 from 1907)
0.04231
1907262
(-2 from 1906)
171
(+11 from 1906)
0.05068
1906260
(+2 from 1905)
160
(+6 from 1905)
0.05105
1905262
(-2 from 1904)
154
(+6 from 1904)
0.04970
1904260
(+1 from 1903)
148
(+10 from 1903)
0.05061
1903261
(+1 from 1902)
138
(-2 from 1902)
0.04961
1902262
(-22 from 1901)
140
(-5 from 1901)
0.04994
1901240
(-2 from 1900)
145
(-33 from 1900)
0.05704
1900238
(-3 from 1899)
178
(+39 from 1899)
0.05602
1899235
(-5 from 1898)
139
(-22 from 1898)
0.05616
1898230
(-13 from 1897)
161
(+4 from 1897)
0.05873
1897217
(+10 from 1896)
157
(+8 from 1896)
0.06324
1896227
(+1 from 1895)
149
(+2 from 1895)
0.05913
1895228
(-14 from 1894)
147
(-5 from 1894)
0.05949
1894214
(-19 from 1893)
152
(-21 from 1893)
0.06441
1893195
(-6 from 1892)
173
(-5 from 1892)
0.07681
1892189
(-10 from 1891)
178
No change from 1891
0.07914
1891179
(+11 from 1890)
178
(+24 from 1890)
0.09055
1890190
(+15 from 1889)
154
(+28 from 1889)
0.07637
1889205
(-35 from 1888)
126
(-44 from 1888)
0.06659
1888170
(+16 from 1887)
170
(+58 from 1887)
0.08974
1887186
(+2 from 1886)
112
(-3 from 1886)
0.07206
1886188
(-21 from 1885)
115
(-8 from 1885)
0.07480
1885167
(+6 from 1884)
123
(+20 from 1884)
0.08665
1884173
(+4 from 1883)
103
(+13 from 1883)
0.07486
1883177
(-4 from 1882)
90
(+7 from 1882)
0.07496
1882173
(-1 from 1881)
83
(+6 from 1881)
0.07174
1881172
(-9 from 1880)
77
(-3 from 1880)
0.07789
1880163
First SSA data recorded
80
First SSA data recorded
0.08196

American States Popularity Rankings for Leila

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#1132021#1422022#1212023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#2012021#1682022#1622023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#1792021#2912022#2202023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#1442021#1762022#1642023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#2672021#3772022#3392023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#2322021#2232022#2592023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#3382021#2852022#3222023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#3842021#4212022#3642023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#1492021#1632022#1652023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#2652021#3312022#3292023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4832021#4062022#5132023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#1952021#2782022#1842023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2242021#2172022#2952023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#1882021#1682022#1882023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#4792021#2982022#4062023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#1682021#1862022#2642023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#7072021#9582022#5962023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#202021#312022#502023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4512021#4562022#3382023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#2912021#2002022#2502023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#2172021#3032022#2652023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#2602021#3082022#3772023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#1212021#2252022#1632023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4442021#4632022#5432023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#7232021#3672022#4552023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#3142021#5182022#4072023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#2932020#3252021#3662023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#4532020#5562021#3592023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#1522021#2262022#2182023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#4392021#2362022#3332023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6352021#3672022#4712023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#2822021#6842022#3212023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#3502021#4652022#4532023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3812021#6982022#6972023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4112017#3402019#4582022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1102021#1342022#882023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5132021#4362022#6172023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#3162019#3052021#3562023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#6422021#4632022#4542023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#3832018#2512019#3442021

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1352020#1972022#1192023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1352020#1202021#1172023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2152014#1952018#2372020

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3122009#2462010#3572021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#2271927#2101931#2022009

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1852013#2362016#1162019

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#1482014#2432015#2522016

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1142016#1732018#1632022

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2482010#2522013#2412019

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#742013

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#1252010

Popularity Rankings for Leila in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#532007

Popularity in Hungary

Hungary flagHungary#732016#812017#892018

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#832022#942023#922024

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1852020#1222021#1622022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1601998#1271999#1962005

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#1392021#1282022#1652023

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#1442008#1412009#1852010

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#1832020#2452021#1982022

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#2182019#2002020#2312021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2842021#2032022#3162023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#2922021#2092022#3352023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#2192022#2342023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#2442021#2512022#2572023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#3272016#2522019#2622021

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3162021#2602022#3652023

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#3032008#2852009

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3332020#4462021#3022023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#4712020#3882022#4302023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Leila a Name for Boys or Girls?

Leila is generally a female name. Its origins in Arabic and Persian cultures have historically been used for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Leila

Leila in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Leila Bekhti (Actress, born 1984): A French actress celebrated for her roles in both French and international films.
  • Leila Khaled (Activist, born 1944): A Palestinian revolutionary and member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.
  • Leila Lopes (Beauty Queen, born 1986): An Angolan model and beauty queen who won the Miss Universe 2011 title.
  • Leila Hatami (Actress, born 1972): An Iranian actress acclaimed for her performance in the Oscar-winning film "A Separation."
  • Leila Denmark (Pediatrician, 1898–2012): An American pediatrician who was one of the world's oldest practicing pediatricians and contributed to the development of the whooping cough vaccine.
  • Leila Alaoui (Photographer, 1982–2016): A French-Moroccan photographer and video artist whose work focused on cultural diversity and migration.
  • Leila Kenzle (Actress, born 1960): An American actress best known for her role on the TV series "Mad About You."
  • Leila ("We Hunt the Flame," 2019 Novel): A story set in a fantasy world where Leila embarks on a quest to save her kingdom.
  • Leila ("Leila," 2019 TV Series): Follows the journey of a woman in a dystopian future as she searches for her missing daughter.
  • Leila ("Doctor Who," 1963 TV Series): A warrior from the planet Leela who becomes a companion of the Doctor in his time-traveling adventures.
  • Leila ("The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," 2005 Film): A minor character who plays a pivotal role in the friends' summer adventures.
  • Leila ("Leila's Dream," 2017 Children's Book): A magical tale about a young girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina.
  • Leila ("Leila and the City of Light," 2008 Film): Chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Leila in a fantastical city.
  • Leila ("Leila," 1973 Song by Derek and the Dominos): A classic rock song celebrating the beauty and mystery of a woman named Leila.
  • Leila Arboretum (Michigan, USA): A 72-acre arboretum located in Battle Creek, offering a diverse collection of trees and plants.
  • Leila North Community School Park (Manitoba, Canada): A park in Winnipeg, providing recreational facilities and green space.
  • Leila Street (London, England): A residential street in the Borough of Camden, featuring Victorian architecture.
  • Leila's Beach (Mauritius): A scenic beach located on the northeastern coast of Mauritius, known for its clear waters and coral reefs.
  • Leila Hospital (Buenos Aires, Argentina): A healthcare facility in Buenos Aires, providing medical services to the local community.
  • Leila Abouzeid Square (Casablanca, Morocco): A public square in Casablanca, named after the Moroccan author Leila Abouzeid.
  • Leila Shopping Center (Dubai, UAE): A modern shopping center in Dubai, offering a variety of retail stores and dining options.

Similar Names to Leila