Lela Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LEH-lah /ˈlɛlə/
Origin: Arabic; Hebrew; African
Meaning: Arabic: night; Hebrew: weary; African: sweet
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Lela has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily tracing back to Arabic and Hebrew origins. In Arabic, Lela (ليلى) means "night" or "dark beauty," derived from the word "layl" (ليل), which signifies night.
This association with the night has led to various cultural interpretations, often symbolizing beauty and mystery. The name also appears in Hebrew, where it is sometimes linked to the word "leila," which carries similar meanings.
The transition of Lela into English likely occurred through the influence of Arabic and Hebrew names during the medieval period, particularly through trade and cultural exchanges in the Mediterranean region. Historically, the name Lela has been associated with various figures and narratives.
In Arabic literature, the name is often found in poetry and stories that celebrate beauty and love, echoing the significance of night as a metaphor for romance and allure. The name's resonance can also be seen in the context of the Hebrew Bible, where names often carry deep meanings and are tied to the identities of significant characters.
Although there are no specific biblical figures named Lela, the cultural weight of names in these traditions has contributed to its enduring presence. Culturally, Lela has been embraced in various societies, often symbolizing grace and elegance.
The name's connection to night has made it a popular choice in poetic and artistic expressions, where it evokes imagery of beauty shrouded in mystery. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Lela or Lelaine have emerged in different cultures, further enriching the name's legacy.
Overall, Lela's etymological roots and historical significance reflect a blend of cultural influences that have allowed it to maintain a meaningful presence across different eras.
Famous people named Lela
In this section, you will find notable people named Lela. 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 Lela who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Lela 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.
Lela Rochon is an actress best known for Waiting to Exhale, Harlem Nights, and The Chamber.
Lela Brooks is a singer best known for her work in the jazz and blues genres.
Fictional characters named Lela
The following list of fictional characters named Lela is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Lela is a fictional character from the animated film Lilo & Stitch. She is a close friend of Lilo and plays a supportive role in her adventures.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Lela, 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 Lela. 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 Lela was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Lela has ranked as high as #379 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Texas, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
In the past 5 years the name Lela has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Lela 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 Lela was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Lela.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 2024 | 86 | 0 | 86 |
| 2023 | 89 | 0 | 89 |
| 2022 | 100 | 0 | 100 |
| 2021 | 111 | 0 | 111 |
| 2020 | 109 | 0 | 109 |
| 2019 | 116 | 0 | 116 |
| 2018 | 139 | 0 | 139 |
| 2017 | 142 | 0 | 142 |
| 2016 | 150 | 0 | 150 |
| 2015 | 147 | 0 | 147 |
| 2014 | 152 | 0 | 152 |
| 2013 | 156 | 0 | 156 |
| 2012 | 178 | 0 | 178 |
| 2011 | 142 | 0 | 142 |
| 2010 | 145 | 0 | 145 |
| 2009 | 161 | 0 | 161 |
| 2008 | 157 | 0 | 157 |
| 2007 | 176 | 0 | 176 |
| 2006 | 152 | 0 | 152 |
| 2005 | 143 | 0 | 143 |
| 2004 | 134 | 0 | 134 |
| 2003 | 122 | 0 | 122 |
| 2002 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
| 2001 | 111 | 0 | 111 |
| 2000 | 118 | 0 | 118 |
| 1999 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 1998 | 63 | 0 | 63 |
| 1997 | 63 | 0 | 63 |
| 1996 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 1995 | 57 | 0 | 57 |
| 1994 | 52 | 0 | 52 |
| 1993 | 72 | 0 | 72 |
| 1992 | 56 | 0 | 56 |
| 1991 | 80 | 0 | 80 |
| 1990 | 76 | 0 | 76 |
| 1989 | 67 | 0 | 67 |
| 1988 | 66 | 0 | 66 |
| 1987 | 84 | 0 | 84 |
| 1986 | 75 | 0 | 75 |
| 1985 | 94 | 0 | 94 |
| 1984 | 90 | 0 | 90 |
| 1983 | 104 | 0 | 104 |
| 1982 | 92 | 0 | 92 |
| 1981 | 110 | 0 | 110 |
| 1980 | 82 | 0 | 82 |
| 1979 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
| 1978 | 105 | 0 | 105 |
| 1977 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1976 | 93 | 0 | 93 |
| 1975 | 85 | 0 | 85 |
| 1974 | 101 | 0 | 101 |
| 1973 | 127 | 0 | 127 |
| 1972 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
| 1971 | 112 | 0 | 112 |
| 1970 | 132 | 0 | 132 |
| 1969 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
| 1968 | 133 | 0 | 133 |
| 1967 | 103 | 0 | 103 |
| 1966 | 126 | 0 | 126 |
| 1965 | 147 | 0 | 147 |
| 1964 | 166 | 0 | 166 |
| 1963 | 168 | 0 | 168 |
| 1962 | 165 | 0 | 165 |
| 1961 | 195 | 0 | 195 |
| 1960 | 169 | 0 | 169 |
| 1959 | 207 | 0 | 207 |
| 1958 | 216 | 0 | 216 |
| 1957 | 209 | 0 | 209 |
| 1956 | 238 | 0 | 238 |
| 1955 | 244 | 0 | 244 |
| 1954 | 250 | 0 | 250 |
| 1953 | 248 | 0 | 248 |
| 1952 | 270 | 0 | 270 |
| 1951 | 234 | 0 | 234 |
| 1950 | 266 | 0 | 266 |
| 1949 | 356 | 0 | 356 |
| 1948 | 323 | 0 | 323 |
| 1947 | 323 | 0 | 323 |
| 1946 | 301 | 0 | 301 |
| 1945 | 326 | 0 | 326 |
| 1944 | 328 | 0 | 328 |
| 1943 | 344 | 0 | 344 |
| 1942 | 371 | 0 | 371 |
| 1941 | 355 | 0 | 355 |
| 1940 | 335 | 0 | 335 |
| 1939 | 359 | 0 | 359 |
| 1938 | 390 | 6 | 384 |
| 1937 | 418 | 0 | 418 |
| 1936 | 407 | 0 | 407 |
| 1935 | 427 | 0 | 427 |
| 1934 | 471 | 5 | 466 |
| 1933 | 516 | 6 | 510 |
| 1932 | 504 | 0 | 504 |
| 1931 | 558 | 0 | 558 |
| 1930 | 591 | 5 | 586 |
| 1929 | 636 | 5 | 631 |
| 1928 | 665 | 6 | 659 |
| 1927 | 687 | 5 | 682 |
| 1926 | 721 | 0 | 721 |
| 1925 | 818 | 0 | 818 |
| 1924 | 863 | 0 | 863 |
| 1923 | 822 | 6 | 816 |
| 1922 | 872 | 7 | 865 |
| 1921 | 907 | 0 | 907 |
| 1920 | 878 | 0 | 878 |
| 1919 | 904 | 6 | 898 |
| 1918 | 902 | 6 | 896 |
| 1917 | 828 | 0 | 828 |
| 1916 | 888 | 0 | 888 |
| 1915 | 774 | 0 | 774 |
| 1914 | 647 | 0 | 647 |
| 1913 | 595 | 0 | 595 |
| 1912 | 523 | 0 | 523 |
| 1911 | 489 | 0 | 489 |
| 1910 | 469 | 0 | 469 |
| 1909 | 414 | 0 | 414 |
| 1908 | 411 | 0 | 411 |
| 1907 | 453 | 0 | 453 |
| 1906 | 447 | 0 | 447 |
| 1905 | 465 | 0 | 465 |
| 1904 | 431 | 0 | 431 |
| 1903 | 420 | 0 | 420 |
| 1902 | 459 | 0 | 459 |
| 1901 | 443 | 0 | 443 |
| 1900 | 530 | 0 | 530 |
| 1899 | 417 | 0 | 417 |
| 1898 | 459 | 0 | 459 |
| 1897 | 438 | 0 | 438 |
| 1896 | 425 | 0 | 425 |
| 1895 | 388 | 0 | 388 |
| 1894 | 413 | 0 | 413 |
| 1893 | 358 | 0 | 358 |
| 1892 | 353 | 0 | 353 |
| 1891 | 337 | 0 | 337 |
| 1890 | 304 | 0 | 304 |
| 1889 | 268 | 0 | 268 |
| 1888 | 292 | 0 | 292 |
| 1887 | 207 | 0 | 207 |
| 1886 | 235 | 5 | 230 |
| 1885 | 168 | 0 | 168 |
| 1884 | 213 | 0 | 213 |
| 1883 | 163 | 0 | 163 |
| 1882 | 143 | 0 | 143 |
| 1881 | 125 | 0 | 125 |
| 1880 | 106 | 0 | 106 |
Top States for Lela (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 9 | |
| TN | 7 | |
| OH | 6 | |
| MI | 5 | |
| LA | 5 | |
| NC | 5 |