Leyla Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: LAY-lah //ˈleɪ.lə//
Origin: Arabic; Turkish; Persian
Meaning: Arabic: night; Turkish: dark beauty; Persian: lily
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Leyla has its roots in Arabic, derived from the word "layl," which means "night." This etymology reflects a poetic and romantic connotation, often associated with beauty and mystery. The name has been transliterated into various forms across different languages, including the Persian "Leila" and the Turkish "Leyla," which further solidified its presence in the cultural lexicon of the Middle East and Central Asia.
The transition into English occurred through literary and cultural exchanges, particularly during the 19th century when Western interest in Eastern literature and poetry grew. Historically, the name Leyla has been prominent in various literary works.
One of the most notable references is the Persian romantic epic "Khosrow and Shirin," attributed to the poet Nezami Ganjavi in the 12th century, where Leyla is depicted as a symbol of unattainable love. This narrative has influenced countless adaptations and interpretations in literature and art, contributing to the name's enduring legacy.
Additionally, the name appears in various forms in Arabic literature, where it is often associated with themes of love and longing. Culturally, Leyla has been embraced in various traditions, symbolizing beauty and the allure of the night.
Its resonance can be seen in poetry, music, and folklore, where the night is often celebrated as a time of romance and inspiration. The name's melodic quality and rich cultural associations have allowed it to maintain significance across different regions and eras.
In some cultures, diminutive forms like "Leila" or "Laila" are also used, further illustrating the name's adaptability and widespread appeal throughout history.
Famous people named Leyla
In this section, you will find notable people named Leyla. 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 Leyla who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Leyla 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.
Leyla Aliyeva is a philanthropist best known for her work with the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and promoting cultural initiatives in Azerbaijan.
Leyla Milani is an actress and model best known for her appearances on The Price Is Right and as a contestant on NBC's Deal or No Deal.
Leyla Gencer is an opera singer best known for her performances in La Traviata, Tosca, and Madama Butterfly.
Fictional characters named Leyla
The following list of fictional characters named Leyla 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.
Leyla is a fictional character from the video game series Genshin Impact. She is a skilled archer and a member of the Liyue region's adepti, known for her dedication to protecting her homeland.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Leyla, 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 Leyla. 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 Leyla was first seen in the United States in 1957.
Leyla has ranked as high as #912 nationally, which occurred in 2022, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Leyla has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Leyla 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 Leyla was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Leyla (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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 87 | |
| CA | 69 | |
| NY | 55 | |
| FL | 46 | |
| NJ | 22 | |
| IL | 22 | |
| NC | 16 | |
| GA | 16 | |
| PA | 13 | |
| WA | 13 | |
| AZ | 11 | |
| MA | 11 | |
| IN | 11 | |
| OH | 10 | |
| CO | 9 |
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 Leyla.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 499 |
| 2023 | 493 |
| 2022 | 503 |
| 2021 | 440 |
| 2020 | 495 |
| 2019 | 400 |
| 2018 | 458 |
| 2017 | 485 |
| 2016 | 402 |
| 2015 | 361 |
| 2014 | 410 |
| 2013 | 447 |
| 2012 | 385 |
| 2011 | 376 |
| 2010 | 370 |
| 2009 | 389 |
| 2008 | 382 |
| 2007 | 367 |
| 2006 | 263 |
| 2005 | 245 |
| 2004 | 209 |
| 2003 | 170 |
| 2002 | 142 |
| 2001 | 132 |
| 2000 | 105 |
| 1999 | 83 |
| 1998 | 45 |
| 1997 | 57 |
| 1996 | 49 |
| 1995 | 47 |
| 1994 | 36 |
| 1993 | 39 |
| 1992 | 37 |
| 1991 | 35 |
| 1990 | 28 |
| 1989 | 29 |
| 1988 | 31 |
| 1987 | 24 |
| 1986 | 17 |
| 1985 | 25 |
| 1984 | 18 |
| 1983 | 28 |
| 1982 | 31 |
| 1981 | 19 |
| 1980 | 21 |
| 1979 | 31 |
| 1978 | 36 |
| 1977 | 40 |
| 1976 | 34 |
| 1975 | 43 |
| 1974 | 36 |
| 1973 | 52 |
| 1972 | 58 |
| 1971 | 15 |
| 1970 | 9 |
| 1969 | 9 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 8 |
| 1966 | 5 |
| 1965 | 13 |
| 1964 | 10 |
| 1963 | 5 |
| 1962 | 7 |
| 1960 | 5 |
| 1959 | 10 |
| 1958 | 8 |
| 1957 | 5 |