Diala

♀ Girl

Pronounced dee-AH-luh /diˈɑː.lə/Medium

Meaning: Diala is an Arabic girl's name that shares its form with Diyala, the river and province in eastern Iraq. Sources differ on whether the name honors the place or has an independent root, so the etymology is not settled; we note that.Low

In 30 seconds: An Arabic name shared with the Diyala river of Iraq (said 'dee-AH-luh'). The etymology is not settled, which we note.

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Origin LowArabic, Iraqi

MeaningDiala is an Arabic girl's name that shares its form with Diyala, the river and province in eastern Iraq. Sources differ on whether the name honors the place or has an independent root, so the etymology is not settled; we note that.

U.S. rank (2024)#13891 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 248

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Diala is used as an Arabic girl's name across the Levant and Iraq. It shares its form with the Diyala, a river rising in the Zagros mountains and joining the Tigris below Baghdad, which also gives its name to an Iraqi province. Sources disagree on whether the personal name derives from the place or has a separate root, and we note that (said 'dee-AH-luh').

It appears only rarely in U.S. records, chiefly in Arab families. Rare, flowing, and place-linked.

Did you know? Diala shares its name with the Diyala, a river that runs out of the Zagros mountains into the Tigris. Whether the girl's name comes from the place or stands on its own is not settled, which we note.

Overall data confidence 42%

References — Diala — Arabic girls' name; Diyala river and province, Iraq; etymology unsettled

Variations

DyalaDiyalaDialah

Nicknames

DiaLala

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Diala mean?

Diala is an Arabic girl's name sharing its form with the Diyala river and province of Iraq. Its etymology is not settled, which we note.

How do you pronounce Diala?

It's said dee-AH-luh /diˈɑː.lə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Diala a boy or girl name?

Diala is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Diala?

Diala is a rare name for girls in the U.S.