Lyla

♀ Girl

Pronounced LY-luh /ˈlaɪ.lə/High

Meaning: Night; dark beauty — variant of Layla, from Arabic and Persian layl (night)High

In 30 seconds: A variant of Layla meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty' in Arabic and Persian, Lyla brings a softer, more whimsical spelling to a name celebrated in classical Arabic poetry for centuries.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighArabic, Persian

MeaningNight; dark beauty — variant of Layla, from Arabic and Persian layl (night)

U.S. rank (2025)#80 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births3,089 girls (0.19% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 49,274

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

Lyla is a variant spelling of Layla, from the Arabic and Persian layl, meaning 'night.' The name became celebrated through the classical Arabic romance of Layla and Majnun, written by the poet Nizami Ganjavi in the 12th century.

The spelling Lyla has risen in the United States alongside Layla in the 21st century. Parents are drawn to the softer y-spelling for its modern whimsy while retaining the name's poetic depth.

Did you know? The love story of Layla and Majnun — a lovestruck poet and the beautiful Layla — is one of the great romances of Arabic, Persian, and Urdu literature, comparable to Romeo and Juliet.

Variations

LaylaLeilaLilaLeyla

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

★Lyla Foy (b. 1988)
English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in London, known for folk-influenced indie pop and supporting tours with The National and Fleet Foxes

If you like Lyla…

Layla— the standard spelling of the same name with the same nocturnal beauty

Luna— Latin night-sky name with the same lyrical two-syllable moonlit feel

Nova— cosmic short name with the same bright dreamy feminine quality

Lila— another Arabic name

Lela— a fellow Arabic choice

Explore names like Lyla

By meaningBeauty

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Lyla mean?

Lyla is a variant of Layla, from the Arabic and Persian layl, meaning 'night' or 'dark beauty.'

How do you pronounce Lyla?

It is said LY-luh /ˈlaɪ.lə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Lyla a boy or girl name?

Lyla is used exclusively as a girl's name.

How popular is Lyla?

Lyla has been rising in the U.S. alongside its variant Layla and now ranks in the top 200 girls' names.