Lela

♀ Girl

Pronounced LEHL-a /ˈlɛl.æ/Low

Meaning: Georgian traditional name (meaning uncertain, sometimes 'night'); also a variant of Leila/Layla 'night'.Low

In 30 seconds: Lela is a Georgian girl's name whose exact meaning is uncertain, though it is sometimes read as 'night' and is also used as a form of Leila or Layla.

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Origin LowGeorgian, Arabic

MeaningGeorgian traditional name (meaning uncertain, sometimes 'night'); also a variant of Leila/Layla 'night'.

U.S. rank (2025)#2374 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births76 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 43,002

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

Lela is a traditional Georgian name, and its precise meaning is not settled; one reading connects it to 'night'. In other contexts it serves as a variant of Leila or Layla, the Arabic-rooted name meaning 'night', which may be why that sense attaches to it. Because the etymology is disputed, it is honest to say the origins are not fully clear.

Its two even syllables give it a balanced, easy sound that works across several languages. The Georgian chess player Lela Javakhishvili, who holds the Woman Grandmaster title, carries the name.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Lela is 'origin uncertain', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 55%

Behind the Name - Lela — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Lela Javakhishvili (1984-present)
Georgian chess player who holds the Woman Grandmaster title.

If you like Lela…

Leila— The Arabic-rooted name meaning 'night' that Lela is used as a form of.

Layla— Another spelling of the 'night' name linked to Lela.

Lila— Shares Lela's simple two-syllable L-vowel pattern and soft sound.

Lylla— echoes that soft -la sound

Tala— lands in the same popularity range

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lela mean?

Lela is usually explained as meaning 'origin uncertain' and is most often linked with Uncertain tradition.

How do you pronounce Lela?

It's commonly said LEHL-a /ˈlɛl.æ/.

Is Lela a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Lela is used as a girl name.

How popular is Lela?

In 2024, Lela ranked #2200 in the U.S. for girls, with 86 births recorded.