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Lilah

♀ Girl

Pronounced LY-luh /ˈlaɪ.lə/High

Meaning: Night; dark beauty; from Hebrew/Arabic laylahHigh

In 30 seconds: A soft, romantic name meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty' from Hebrew and Arabic. A variant of Lila and Leila, it carries both a delicate sound and an exotic, timeless allure.
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Origin HighHebrew, Arabic
MeaningNight; dark beauty; from Hebrew/Arabic laylah
Peak year2017
Total births (all-time)≈ 13,523

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201718842017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Lilah is a variant of Lila and Leila, all tracing to the Hebrew/Arabic root laylah, meaning 'night.' The name also has connections to the biblical figure Delilah and to Lilith, both of which share the root lyl ('night'). The -ah ending gives it a soft, feminine finish popular in contemporary naming.

Lilah has climbed steadily in the United States in the 21st century as an alternative to the more common Lila and Leila. Its soft sound, romantic associations, and easy spelling have made it a favorite among parents who want something classic yet distinctive. It now ranks in the top 200 U.S. girls' names.

Did you know? The 12th-century Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi's epic poem Layla and Majnun made the name Layla/Lila famous as the archetypal name of the beloved — inspiring poems, songs, and literature for centuries.

Variations

LilaLeilaLaylaDelilah

Nicknames

LiLily

Famous Bearers

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If you like Lilah…

Lila— same name with a simpler spelling
Layla— same root word with a more Arabic-forward spelling
Leila— variant spelling of the same night-meaning name
Violet— another soft, romantic two-syllable name for girls

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lilah mean?

Lilah is a variant of Lila/Leila, from the Hebrew/Arabic word laylah meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.'

How do you pronounce Lilah?

Lilah is pronounced LY-luh (/ˈlaɪ.lə/) — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Lilah a boy or girl name?

Lilah is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Lilah?

Lilah has been rising steadily and is now a top-200 U.S. girls' name, popular for its soft, romantic sound.