Leilah Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAY-lah //ˈleɪ.lə//
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew
Meaning: Arabic: night; Hebrew: delicate
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Leilah has its roots in the Arabic word "laylah," which means "night." This term is derived from the Semitic root L-Y-L, which is associated with darkness and night. The name has been adopted into various cultures and languages, often retaining its original meaning.
In the context of Arabic literature, night is frequently associated with beauty, mystery, and romance, contributing to the name's allure across different cultures. The transition of the name into English likely occurred through the influence of Arabic literature and culture, particularly during the Middle Ages when translations of Arabic texts became more prevalent in Europe.
Historically, the name Leilah and its variants, such as Layla, have been popularized through various literary works. One notable example is the story of Layla and Majnun, a classic tale of love in Arabic literature, which dates back to the 7th century.
This narrative has been retold in numerous forms across different cultures, including Persian and Turkish adaptations, further embedding the name into the literary canon. The name also appears in the context of Islamic tradition, where it is sometimes associated with the night of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey (Isra and Mi'raj), which adds a layer of spiritual significance.
Culturally, the name Leilah has resonated with themes of beauty and longing, often symbolizing the enchanting qualities of the night. Its poetic connotations have made it a favored choice in various artistic expressions, including poetry and music.
The name's enduring presence in literature and its evocative meaning contribute to its lasting appeal across different cultures and eras. Variants of the name, such as Leila and Layla, have also emerged, reflecting the name's adaptability and the rich tapestry of its historical and cultural significance.
Famous people named Leilah
In this section, you will find notable people named Leilah. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Leilah who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Leilah who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Leilah Ali is a boxer best known for her undefeated record and being a two-time world champion.
Leilah de Lima is a writer and poet best known for her contributions to contemporary literature and her published works.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Leilah, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Leilah. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Leilah was first seen in the United States in 1898.
Leilah has ranked as high as #1101 nationally, which occurred in 2010, and has been most popular in California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
In the past 5 years the name Leilah has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Leilah is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Leilah was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Leilah (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 30 | |
| TX | 18 | |
| FL | 13 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Leilah.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 115 |
| 2023 | 157 |
| 2022 | 194 |
| 2021 | 162 |
| 2020 | 160 |
| 2019 | 167 |
| 2018 | 198 |
| 2017 | 205 |
| 2016 | 176 |
| 2015 | 196 |
| 2014 | 211 |
| 2013 | 204 |
| 2012 | 189 |
| 2011 | 215 |
| 2010 | 251 |
| 2009 | 216 |
| 2008 | 191 |
| 2007 | 160 |
| 2006 | 125 |
| 2005 | 99 |
| 2004 | 85 |
| 2003 | 90 |
| 2002 | 53 |
| 2001 | 33 |
| 2000 | 39 |
| 1999 | 16 |
| 1998 | 12 |
| 1997 | 13 |
| 1996 | 13 |
| 1995 | 9 |
| 1994 | 10 |
| 1993 | 10 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1991 | 6 |
| 1989 | 8 |
| 1988 | 12 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1983 | 7 |
| 1982 | 8 |
| 1981 | 5 |
| 1980 | 10 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 6 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1970 | 6 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1928 | 6 |
| 1920 | 6 |
| 1918 | 6 |
| 1916 | 6 |
| 1898 | 6 |