Layla
Meaning
Night, dark beauty. One of the most beloved names in Arabic and Urdu poetry.
Layla in English: Night, dark beauty.
Explore names meaning
Works in English: Layla is easy to pronounce in English, making it a popular choice for Indian diaspora families in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
About the name Layla
Layla is one of the most celebrated names in all of Arabic and Urdu literary tradition — immortalised in the legend of Layla and Majnun, the great Arabic romance that inspired poets from Nizami Ganjavi to Rumi to the Urdu masters. In this story, Layla is the beloved whose name drives her devoted lover Majnun to ecstatic madness — a story that became the defining metaphor for divine love in Sufi poetry. The name means night and dark beauty, from the Arabic "layla" (ليلى). Layla is used across South Asian Muslim communities in India and Pakistan. In the West, it gained enormous recognition through Eric Clapton's 1970 song "Layla". For Indian Muslim diaspora families, Layla (LAY-la) is two syllables, universally familiar, and carries profound poetic resonance.
Frequently asked questions
What does Layla mean?
Night, dark beauty. One of the most beloved names in Arabic and Urdu poetry.
What does Layla mean in English?
In English, Layla means "Night, dark beauty". It is a name of Urdu and Arabic origin.
Is Layla an Indian name?
Yes, Layla is an Indian name of Urdu and Arabic origin, widely used across South Asia and by Indian diaspora communities in the US, UK, Canada and Australia.
How do you pronounce Layla?
Layla is pronounced LAY-la.
Is Layla a Muslim name?
Yes, Layla is a Muslim name of Urdu and Arabic origin, widely used by Muslim families across South Asia and the Indian Muslim diaspora.
What is the origin of the name Layla?
Layla is a name of Urdu and Arabic origin. It is traditionally used as a girl's name.
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