Thoughts on Layla

I was in two minds about clicking this thread - my DD is Layla and I was worried people would say mean things and I would get offended! I think its a beautiful name. I love the song, I think it has a beautiful meaning and origin.
Its not too popular where I am. In the whole primary school I only know of one other Layla. I say use it!

Lovely name but three in my dd’s class in a small village school.

@le1la exactly same experience as you! Never realised it had became popular till saw cards and keyring etc with Layla on. All that time I wanted one growing up and never could find.. Now.. Dreams come true lol.

Not a fan at all personally, but if you both like it then go for it!

I stand corrected - PP have discussed it's popularity. I really don't hear it that often though and when I do, it's always a surprise!

I'm a Leila (pron. Lay-la) and I'm 30 now. It definitely wasn't a popular name when I was younger!

Thoughts...

1. People will pronounce it wrong a lot if they're reading it written down. I get Ly-la and Lee-la a lot. Lala once .
2. People ALWAYS sing the Eric Clapton song but I really don't mind it. A lot of people do the 'Layyyyyy-la, dun dun dun' then say 'I bet you get that a lot'. It's funny. And it's a good song! Sometimes people sing Lola by The Kinks...that's less funny when you read the lyrics.
3. I never got bullied for it. The only thing it really rhymes with that's negative is 'Whaler'. My nickname was Leyland Daf at primary school (like the lorries) but it's not exactly hurtful.
4. It also semi-rhymes with 'Failer' which is what my best friends call me. Leila Failer .
5. I get a lot of attention in Arabic countries when they find out my name, but it's not negative - mostly just excited conversations about whether I have Arabic heritage (I don't).

So, it's maybe becoming a little more popular, but it's definitely not going to ever be a Top 100 name (and I love it!).

Lovely name. I do know a couple and both have Middle Eastern origins. I like Saskia and Anastasia too. India has unpleasant colonial associations to me.

Lovely name and classic brilliant song of course ;9)

Doesn’t sound nice to me sorry

Leila can be pronounced either Lee-la (rhymes with Sheila) or Layla. My daughter has the first pronunciation as it’s been a family name in my family for at least 150 years, possibly longer and that’s the way that it’s been pronounced by my decidedly non-Arabic Yorkshire ancestors. Maybe my great great aunt was named after a character in a book or a play or a song ? It seems unlikely that the Arabic meaning/pronunciation would have been known to them, being staunch Methodists? I was surprised when people started assuming my daughter is called Layla as i’d never associated the two names together. She just corrects people and gets on with it! Looks like there’s a new series on Netflix called ‘Leila’ so it may get more popular. I think it’s top 100 rather than top 20, though.

Love it! And haven't heard it at all recently. Go for it!

I think it’s a lovely name. But, it’s so popular. I know so many Layla’s. All little blonde haired girls.

I wouldn’t choose it personally.

I've only seen Layla spelt Layla and Laila.

I would of thought Leila was pronounced "Lee-la"? Which is a different name entirely ?

I was in school with a Layla- she was sweet, pretty, intelligent and very musical. PP said Layla Noelle, I think that is really pretty, or an alternative could be Layla Joelle.

Whenever I see it written, or hear it said, I do have to do an Eric Clapton guitar riff, and can see that might get a bit wearing if it were your name.

The only Leilas I know are Jewish.

Sorry she thought it was a trendy name meaning dark hair.
When she found out it was essentially an Arabic name with strong ties to the Islamic faith that is what put her off.
She named her child without understanding the name.
I personally like the name, the real life romance between Layla and Mujnu and the tragic end was penned by a respected Islamic poet.
However, I personally would not consider an Islamic faith due to it being a foreign religion to Sikh also the history associated with that faith in India and partition.
I'm sure lots of people research names and many just go with trends of a name, a name isn't just a name, it's history, faith and that matters to some, perhaps not to the OP so OK, of it does she is now wiser with some information.

It's a gorgeous name OP. I hadn't heard the story of the origins either and think that story is very romantic!

I also like Lyla too.

Not sure why the song lyrics should put you off mind, and potentially with a little imagination any name could be used to tease!

I don’t really like it...it might be in the top 50 names but it feels very early noughties to me. It has a dated feel.

@BoredToday I understand traditionally people name their children according to their religion, but I think there is a difference between can't and won't. If your religion states you can't name your child from another faith that's one thing. Not wanting to is personal choice....
I'm the daughter of a Muslim, I have a Hebrew name and my daughter has a Hebrew name.

As you have explained it, your friends situation doesn't sound the same, she thought the meaning was dark hair and it isn't.... Nothing to do with Arabic origins or not.

Ive never seen other names backgrounds brought up in the same manner. I don't think someone would say for example... Ezra is a nice name.... If you don't mind it's Judaic.

Just read the lyrics to the Eric Clapton song before you make a decision, as that's what a lot of people will immediately think of. The song has references to being on knees and begging please - playground taunting central.

The reason I stated that is, I have a South African friend that named her daughter that, she now regrets it as she wasn't aware of its origins.
She thought it meant dark hair.
Some people care about origins of the name.
Nothing malicious.

It's certainly not chavvy. Really beautiful name.

Why would it's Arabic origin offend you?!

As a Sikh I would not give my kids an Arabic name.
Many people would not name their kids associated with another faith.
Persian names and Arabic names are usually the same.