Lela
Meaning of Lela
Lela is a petite jewel of a name, most often traced to the Arabic-Persian Leila, “night,” but cherished in Italy as a melodious nickname for Eulalia—“well-spoken.” Picture an evening paseo through Florence: church bells chime, and the name Lela slips through the dusk like a silver note from a street violinist—short, sweet, impossible to forget. In the United States her popularity has twinkled rather than blazed, hovering comfortably inside the Top 1000 every single year since 1880; she’s the reliable little lantern that never quite goes out. Linguists love her clean two-syllable rhythm (LEE-luh), parents appreciate the built-in lullaby sound, and literature buffs recall characters as varied as Faulkner’s spirited Lena Grove—proof that Lela’s broader family of names has long carried tales on its shoulders. Light humor clings to her, too: toddlers can pronounce her without tying their tongues, grandparents can spell her without squinting, and no one ever mistakes her for “Linda” at roll call. For families seeking a name that feels classic yet moon-kissed, Lela offers the perfect notte italiana in just four letters.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as LEE-luh (/ˈliːlə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Lela
| Lela Alston is an American Democratic politician who has represented Phoenix-area districts in the Arizona Legislature since the 1970s, most recently in the State Senate. |
| Lela Rochon is an American actress best known for playing Robin Stokes in the 1995 film Waiting to Exhale. |
| Lela E. Rogers was an American journalist, screenwriter, and film producer best known as the mother of actress Ginger Rogers. |
| Lela Bliss was an American actress who debuted in the 1915 silent film Pretty Mrs. Smith and went on to appear in over 40 movies through the 1960s. |
| Lela Rose is an American fashion designer known for her feminine, elegant clothing. |
