What Does the Name Layla Mean?
Layla is a girl's name of Arabic origin meaning “night.”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Layla |
|---|---|
| Gender | female |
| Origin | Arabic |
| Meaning | night |
| Variants | Leila, Laila, Leyla, Laylah, Lila |
| Popularity | Top 30 US girls' name throughout the 2010s. |
The meaning and origin of Layla
The name Layla means “night” and has Arabic origins. From the Arabic layl, meaning 'night.' It is famous from the classic Arabic and Persian tale of Layla and Majnun, and entered widespread English-speaking use after Eric Clapton's 1970 song 'Layla.'
Variants and related names
Layla is related to several other names you may recognize: Leila, Laila, Leyla, Laylah, Lila. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Layla?
Top 30 US girls' name throughout the 2010s.
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Layla mean?+
The name Layla means “night” and is of Arabic origin.
What is the origin of the name Layla?+
Layla originates from Arabic.
Is Layla a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Layla has trended in the US over time.
Layla by gender
More girl's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press