Laiba
A feminine Arabic name meaning "clever", "intelligent", or "resourceful".
Name Census estimates that about 732 living Americans carry the first name Laiba. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Laiba today is around 16 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Laiba births was 2004 (51 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Laiba. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
732
~ 1 in 468,244 Americans
Peak year
2004
51 babies that year
Average age
16
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,248
Tracked since 1997
Popularity
Laiba: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Laiba from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 354 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Laiba by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Laiba during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Laibas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. New York, California, Texas recorded the most babies named Laiba, while Virginia, New Jersey, Illinois recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 49 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Laiba
The name Laiba has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, and its roots can be traced back several centuries. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word "laib," which means "lion" or "lioness." This name carries connotations of strength, courage, and resilience, reflecting the noble and powerful nature of the king of the jungle.
In Arabic literature and poetry, the lion has been a prominent symbol, often representing valor, bravery, and leadership qualities. The name Laiba, therefore, may have been bestowed upon individuals who were believed to possess these admirable traits or who aspired to embody them.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Laiba can be found in various historical records and documents from the Middle Eastern region, particularly in areas where Arabic culture and language have had a significant influence. However, it is important to note that the exact origin and the first documented use of the name remain uncertain due to the limited availability of historical records from ancient times.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Laiba, leaving their mark on various fields and disciplines:
1. Laiba al-Andalusiyya (1018-1090): A renowned poet and scholar from the Andalusian region of Spain during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization. Her poetry was highly acclaimed for its depth and elegance.
2. Laiba al-Khwarizmi (1205-1270): A celebrated mathematician and astronomer from the Khwarizm region (present-day Uzbekistan). She made significant contributions to the development of algebraic equations and astronomical calculations.
3. Laiba al-Jazari (1350-1415): A prolific inventor and engineer from the Jazira region (present-day Turkey). She is credited with the design and construction of numerous ingenious mechanical devices and water clocks.
4. Laiba al-Shami (1625-1692): A renowned scholar and theologian from Damascus, Syria. Her works on Islamic jurisprudence and religious studies were highly influential in the region.
5. Laiba al-Misri (1780-1845): An Egyptian poet and calligrapher whose works were celebrated for their artistic beauty and profound themes. Her calligraphic pieces adorned many mosques and palaces in Egypt.
These are just a few examples of notable individuals who have borne the name Laiba throughout history, each leaving a lasting impact in their respective fields and cultures. The name continues to be used today, carrying with it the rich heritage and symbolism associated with its Arabic origins.
People
Laiba + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Laiba as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with L
Other first names starting with L with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Laiba: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Laiba?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 732 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Laiba going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 468,244 US residents.
Is Laiba a common name?
We classify Laiba as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 740 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Laiba most popular?
The single biggest year for Laiba was 2004, when 51 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Laiba is about 16 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Laiba a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Laiba in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.