Leila is a feminine given name of Arabic origin. It is derived from the male name Layla, which means "night" in Arabic. The name Leila itself does not have a specific meaning, but it is often associated with the night and darkness due to its origin.
The name Leila gained popularity through the famous Arabian love story "Layla and Majnun," written by the Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi. In this tale, Layla is the beautiful maiden who is in love with Majnun, a poet who has gone mad with his love for her. The story has been widely popularized throughout the Middle East and beyond, contributing to the popularity of the name Leila.
Today, Leila is recognized as a global name, carried by women from various cultural backgrounds. It remains a popular choice among parents in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Iran, and the United States. Despite its Arabic roots, Leila has also been adopted by other cultures, including those in Africa, Europe, and South America.
In summary, Leila is a feminine given name of Arabic origin that means "night." Its popularity can be attributed to the classic love story of Layla and Majnun. Nowadays, Leila is widely recognized as an international name, beloved by parents across different cultures.
The name Leila has been a relatively uncommon choice for parents in the United States over the past several decades. According to available statistics, there were only six babies named Leila born in 1941, and this number remained quite low until recently.
However, there has been a small resurgence in the popularity of the name Leila in recent years. In 2017 alone, there were five births with the name Leila recorded in the United States. This brings the total number of babies named Leila born in the U.S. since 1941 to eleven.
While these numbers are still quite low compared to many other names, they suggest that some parents are choosing Leila for their daughters, perhaps drawn to its unique sound or cultural significance. Nonetheless, Leila remains a somewhat rare and distinctive name in the United States.