Leyla
Meaning of Leyla
Leyla, pronounced LAY-lah, drifts into the ear like a desert breeze at twilight. Born of the Arabic word “layl,” meaning “night,” the name journeyed along ancient trade routes to Persia and Turkey before sashaying onto modern birth certificates worldwide. Story lovers might recall the legendary romance of Layla and Majnun—often likened to an Eastern Romeo and Juliet—while Bollywood buffs sway to the classic chorus “Laila O Laila,” proof that the name can set both hearts and dance floors aflame. In the United States Leyla has glowed steadily brighter, rising from the margins of the Social Security charts in the 1960s to hover around the 500-mark in recent years, much like a comet that refuses to burn out. Elegant yet approachable, the name marries moon-lit mystique with everyday charm; little Leyla can be the quiet thinker in a classroom or the fearless dhol drummer at a family sangeet. For parents seeking a moniker that feels both timeless and vibrant, Leyla offers the best of many worlds—ancient poetry, cinematic sparkle, and just a hint of night-time magic.
Pronunciation
Turkish,Arabic,Persian
- Pronunced as LAY-lah (/lej.la/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Leyla
| Leyla Zana is a Kurdish politician imprisoned for activism who received the Sakharov and Rafto Prizes for her human rights advocacy. |
| Leyla Hussein is a Somali-born British psychotherapist and activist who made history as the first woman of colour elected Rector of St Andrews, despite criticism for her lack of involvement. |
| Leyla Erbil was a pioneering Turkish writer and the first Turkish woman nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature. |
| Leyla Aliyeva is an Azerbaijani politician and a member of the ruling Aliyev family, as the daughter of President Ilham Aliyev and granddaughter of former President Heydar Aliyev. |
| Leyla Saz, also known as Leyla Hanımefendi, was an Ottoman and Turkish composer, poet, and writer who lived from 1850 to 1936. |
| Leyla Bouzid is a Tunisian screenwriter and film director. |
| Leyla Qasim was a Feyli Kurdish activist executed in Baghdad for opposing the Iraqi Ba'ath regime and is revered as a national martyr among Kurds. |
| Leyla Göksun is a renowned Turkish actress, making the name Leyla a celebrated choice. |
| Leyla Tanlar is a Turkish actress, model, and gymnast. |
| Leyla Musalem was a professional tennis player from Chile. |
| Leyla Kheradmand Mohadjer is an American statistician at Westat, specializing in survey methodology and leading statistical efforts for major programs like PIAAC, PISA, and NHANES. |
| Leyla Mammadbeyova - Leyla Huseynagha qizi Mamedbekova was a pioneering Azerbaijani pathologist who became the first female professor and chief pathologist in Azerbaijan. |
