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Home › Baby Names Directory › Leelah

Leelah

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEE-lah /ˈli.lɑ/High

Meaning: A spelling of Leila/Lila — variously 'night' (Arabic layla) and 'play; divine play' (Sanskrit lila); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Night; divine play: Leelah spells Leila/Lila — 'night; play'. Lyrical, modern, and warm.
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Origin LowArabic, Sanskrit
MeaningA spelling of Leila/Lila — variously 'night' (Arabic layla) and 'play; divine play' (Sanskrit lila); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#6238 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births19 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2018
Total births (all-time)≈ 446

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201820002025

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

Leelah is a spelling of Leila/Lila — variously 'night' (Arabic layla) and 'play; divine play' (Sanskrit lila; routes layered, which we note). A lyrical, modern name (nickname Lee).

It registers thinly in this spelling. Rare, night-or-play at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Leila means 'night' (Arabic layla) and Lila 'play; divine play' (Sanskrit) — Leelah is a phonetic spelling, lyrical and modern (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'LEE-lah').
Overall data confidence 48%
Behind the Name — Leila — routes layered

Variations

LeilaLilaLayla

Nicknames

Lee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Leelah…

Leila— the common spelling
Lila— a fellow form
Layla— a fellow form
Lilah— a sound-neighbor -lah girls' name

Explore names like Leelah

By themeuncertainarabicsanskrit
By meaningGod / Divine

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Leelah mean?

Leelah spells Leila/Lila — variously 'night' (Arabic) and 'divine play' (Sanskrit); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Leelah?

It's said LEE-lah /ˈli.lɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Leelah a boy or girl name?

Leelah is a girl's name.

How popular is Leelah?

Leelah is a rare name in the U.S.

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