Find out how popular the first name Laila has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Laila by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Laila is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Laila being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 985 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Laila.

The history of the first name Laila

The name Laila has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, originating in the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "lail," which means "night." The name is believed to have emerged during the pre-Islamic era in Arabia, perhaps as early as the 6th century CE.

In Arabic literature, the name Laila is associated with the famous love story of Laila and Majnun, a tragic romance that has been widely celebrated in poetry and literature across the Middle East and Central Asia. The story is thought to have originated in the 7th century and revolves around the ill-fated love between the poet Qays ibn al-Mulawwah and his beloved Laila.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Laila can be found in the works of the renowned Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi, who lived between 1141 and 1209 CE. In his epic poem "Khosrow and Shirin," Nizami mentions a character named Laila, possibly inspired by the legendary love story.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Laila. One of the most famous was Laila Al-Akhyaliah (born around 690 CE), an Arab poet and singer from the Umayyad period. Her poetry and songs were widely acclaimed and influenced the development of Arabic literature.

Another prominent figure was Laila Khaalid (born in 1944), a Palestinian activist and former member of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). She was involved in the hijacking of several aircraft in the late 1960s and early 1970s, bringing global attention to the Palestinian cause.

In the realm of music, Laila Biali (born in 1980) is a Canadian jazz singer and pianist who has released several acclaimed albums and won numerous awards, including a Juno Award in 2019.

Laila Ali (born in 1977) is the daughter of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and a former professional boxer herself. She held multiple world championships in the super middleweight division and retired undefeated.

Laila Rouass (born in 1971) is a Moroccan-British actress known for her roles in various television shows and films, including "Holby City," "Primeval," and "Shooters."

While the name Laila has its roots in Arabic culture, it has gained popularity across various regions and cultures over time, transcending its linguistic and geographical boundaries to become a widely recognized and appreciated name worldwide.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Laila was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Laila, please contact us.

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