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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Layla or Lyra?

39 replies

Gabbie0728 · 11/11/2018 14:59

I really like both names, and I can't seem to choose just one. Which one do you guys prefer? What kind of girl do you picture with the names?

P.S. I pronounce Lyra as Lee-rah, not Lie-rah.

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daisypond · 12/11/2018 14:25

I don't think Layla, Leila, etc, is a particularly "ethnic" name any more, or has been for many years - it's crossed cultures, I'd say. Though the one I know is Iranian.

LeeMiller · 12/11/2018 14:19

I like Layla (and Leila).

I think most people would say Lyra - it's the logical pronunciation based on the spelling (Lycra, Lyre) and t's the way the famous character's name is said.

SpoonfulOfJam · 12/11/2018 12:58

Ethnic, hackneyed pop song, less authentic. So weird reading people critique my own name! (Which, by the way, I get lots of compliments on)

Joanne721 · 12/11/2018 12:51

i like layla

FindaPenny · 12/11/2018 12:44

Much prefer Layla, whatever the spelling, though there are 3 in my Dd's year. I wouldn't say it is a particularly ethnic name anymore.... What about Lyla? seems to take a bit from both the names you like.

soloula · 12/11/2018 12:38

Lyra all the way for me (pronounced lie-ra)

hellsbells552 · 12/11/2018 12:11

I think a combo! Lila or Leela.

mathanxiety · 12/11/2018 05:35

If you're going to pronounce Lyra Lee-ra, then spell it Lira like the currency.

I like them both. Also like Lela (lee-la).

(Sorry, no help).

MrsMarigold · 12/11/2018 03:01

What about Liora?

Pemba · 12/11/2018 02:00

'Very ethnic', well Layla is an Arabic name that has become popular in the West, does that bother you? I prefer the spelling Leila which is a little more authentic I think, and looks nicer written down IMO.

Lyra has a different origin I think and the first association I have, like most people I suspect, is the character in the Philip Pullman books. And the only pronunciation I was aware of was lye-ra.

Dontsayyouloveme · 11/11/2018 22:56

I love the name Lyra. More unusual and classy

YouBoggleMyMind · 11/11/2018 22:49

Why not spell it Laila? Are you keen on the Y?
Lyra is pronounced Lie-ra and makes me think of the Amber Spyglass series.

OliviaStabler · 11/11/2018 22:48

Layla is great, Lyra sounds like lycra to me.

Original poster
Gabbie0728 · 11/11/2018 22:44

Hm.. Both names seem pretty popular! I've seen on the BehindTheName site that Layla seems very ethnic, and the same goes for Lyra. Do you guys think so too?

OP posts:
lyndar · 11/11/2018 19:12

Layla

elenaf · 11/11/2018 19:11

Y is not normally pronouced ee if it's the second or third letter in a word, so most people wouldn't think to pronounce Lyra as Lee-ra. Plus Lyra in Philip Pullman is Lie-ra. So I'd go with Layla rather than Lyra pronounced the Lee-ra way.

daisypond · 11/11/2018 19:10

I like Lyra, but pronounced Lie-rah - as in the constellation or the Philip Pullman character. It means Lyre, so Lee-rah would be odd. I like Layla as well. They're both good names. I'd probably go for Lyra (lie-rah).

Polkasq · 11/11/2018 19:00

Layla

AnnaMagnani · 11/11/2018 18:00

Depends if you want her to be thought of as song or book really.

Elllicam · 11/11/2018 17:58

I’m the same as Glumgloworm

Glumglowworm · 11/11/2018 17:55

My order of preference would be

Lyra pronounced Lie-ra
Layla
Lyra pronounced lee-ra

SuperstarDJ · 11/11/2018 17:47

Layla.

The majority of people will pronounce Lyla as Lie-la not Lee-la so you’ll spend forever correcting people. If you want your DD called lee-la don’t call her Lyla.

Shadow1234 · 11/11/2018 17:44

I really like both tbh. If I had to choose, it would probably be Lyra (but pronounced Lie-Rah.

ReginaPhalange89 · 11/11/2018 16:32

I prefer Lyra but only if it's going to be pronounced lie-ra!

starzig · 11/11/2018 15:29

Love Layla. But Lyra would be lycra without a c.