Layali
An Arabic feminine name meaning "nights" or "evenings".
Name Census estimates that about 240 living Americans carry the first name Layali. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Layali today is around 12 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Layali births was 2023 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Layali. 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
240
~ 1 in 1,428,143 Americans
Peak year
2023
19 babies that year
Average age
12
years old
2024 SSA rank
#9,920
Tracked since 1999
Popularity
Layali: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Layali from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 108 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Layali remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Layali 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 Layali during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Layali
The given name Layali has its origins in the Arabic language and culture, dating back to ancient times. It is derived from the Arabic word "layl," which means "night" or "darkness." The name is often associated with the beauty and mysticism of the night, evoking a sense of tranquility and serenity.
In Arabic literature and poetry, the name Layali is often used as a metaphor for a beloved or a lover, particularly in the context of romantic love poems and odes. The name has appeared in various Arabic literary works, including the famous collection of stories known as "The Arabian Nights" or "One Thousand and One Nights."
One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Layali can be found in the works of the renowned 9th-century Arab poet Abu Tammam, who wrote a famous love poem titled "Layali al-Ghazal" (The Nights of the Gazelle). In this poem, the poet employs the name Layali as a symbol of beauty and grace, comparing his beloved to a graceful gazelle in the night.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Layali. One of the most famous was Layali al-Amin (1828-1889), a Lebanese poet and writer who was a prominent figure in the Nahda (Renaissance) movement of the 19th century Arab world. Her poetry and writings played a significant role in the revival of Arabic literature and the promotion of women's education and rights.
Another notable figure was Layali al-Atrash (1923-1977), a Syrian singer and actress who was widely regarded as one of the most influential and talented performers of her time. Her unique voice and captivating stage presence earned her a vast following throughout the Arab world, and she is still celebrated as a cultural icon.
In the realm of literature, Layali Bashir (1936-2022) was a renowned Palestinian poet and writer. Her works, which often explored themes of identity, resistance, and the Palestinian struggle, have been widely acclaimed and translated into multiple languages. She was recognized with numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to Arabic literature.
Another prominent figure was Layali Samad (born 1955), an Iraqi artist and sculptor known for her abstract and experimental works. Her sculptures, which often incorporate found objects and unconventional materials, have been exhibited in various international galleries and museums, earning her recognition as one of the most innovative and influential artists in the Arab world.
Layali al-Idrissi (born 1972) is a contemporary Moroccan writer and journalist who has gained recognition for her novels and short stories that delve into the complexities of women's lives and societal issues in Morocco. Her works have been widely translated and have received critical acclaim both within and outside the Arab world.
People
Layali + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Layali 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
Layali: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Layali?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 240 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Layali 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 1,428,143 US residents.
Is Layali a common name?
We classify Layali as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.6% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 242 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Layali most popular?
The single biggest year for Layali was 2023, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Layali is about 12 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Layali a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Layali 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.