How to say it
LAI · la
ˈleɪ.lə
Feminine
Laila
Night
What it means
A spelling of Layla, Arabic laylā, 'night'; also a Scandinavian name of Sami origin.
Laila is one spelling of the Arabic laylā, 'night,' the same name as Layla and Leila, made famous by the classical romance Layla and Majnun. It is also an established Scandinavian name from a Sami root. Boxer Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, is a prominent bearer. Pronunciations split between LAY-lah and LY-lah. The night-and-romance air is the same across all the spellings.
How to spell Laila
The standard spelling is Laila. Common variants include Layla, Leila, Laylah, but Laila is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #135 in 2009, currently #413 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Spelling
Laila, Layla, and Leila are the same Arabic 'night' name; Laila is also a Scandinavian name.
- Pronunciation
LAY-lah or LY-lah.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Laila Ali American boxer, daughter of Muhammad Ali
Spelling variants
- Layla
- Leila
- Laylah
Names with the same feeling
See Laila from another angle
By meaning
Common questions
- What does the name Laila mean?
- A spelling of Layla, Arabic laylā, 'night'; also a Scandinavian name of Sami origin.
- What does Laila mean in Arabic?
- In Arabic, Laila means "Night." Laila is one spelling of the Arabic laylā, 'night,' the same name as Layla and Leila, made famous by the classical romance Layla and Majnun. It is also an established Scandinavian name from a Sami root. Boxer Laila Ali, daughter of Muhammad Ali, is a prominent bearer. Pronunciations split between LAY-lah and LY-lah. The night-and-romance air is the same across all the spellings.
- How do you pronounce Laila?
- Laila is pronounced ˈleɪ.lə. Say it as LAI-la, with the stress on the "lai" syllable.
- How do you spell Laila?
- The standard spelling is Laila. Common spelling variants include Layla, Leila, Laylah.
- Is Laila a boy or girl name?
- Laila is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Laila?
- Laila ranked #413 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.