Girl name · Arabic
Lyla
“night, dark beauty”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Lyla.
Explore Lyla further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Lyla — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Lyla is a respelling of Layla, Arabic layl, night — the beloved of the seventh-century Layla and Majnun story, which is the Middle Eastern Romeo and Juliet and considerably older. The y spelling is an English invention with no Arabic basis.
Eric Clapton's 1970 song moved the name into English, and the alternate spellings followed. Lyla is now a separate SSA entry at number 80, well inside the top 100 on its own.
It is already short. Two syllables want two or three (Lyla Josephine, Lyla Marguerite). On our vibe map it is Soft & Dreamy with Modern Minimalist edges.
More Arabic names
Lyla sits in our Arabic set — these share its roots.
All Arabic names →Lyla — common questions
Is Lyla a boy or girl name?
Lyla is traditionally a girl name of Arabic origin.
What does the name Lyla mean?
Lyla means “night, dark beauty” of Arabic origin. Lyla is a respelling of Layla, Arabic layl, night — the beloved of the seventh-century Layla and Majnun story, which is the Middle Eastern Romeo and Juliet and considerably older. The y spelling is an English invention with no Arabic basis.
Where does the name Lyla come from?
Lyla is Arabic in origin. Eric Clapton's 1970 song moved the name into English, and the alternate spellings followed. Lyla is now a separate SSA entry at number 80, well inside the top 100 on its own.
What are common nicknames for Lyla?
Ly and Lylee — the short-forms parents most often use for Lyla.
How popular is Lyla?
Lyla did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Lyla you might want for the nursery.