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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name for Baby Girl Layla

34 replies

YourLimeReader · 03/01/2025 01:29

Hello Friends,
I’ve been thinking about the name Layla, and I can’t help but wonder:
What makes it such a captivating choice? 🤔
It’s said that Layla means "night" or "dark beauty" in Arabic—a name full of mystery and poetic charm. https://www.babynamesdirect.com/girl/layla
But is that why it feels so timeless? Or is there something more?
I’m curious to hear YOUR thoughts:

  • What comes to mind when you hear "Layla"?
  • Does it remind you of a song, a story, or someone you know?
some one said it's persian poetry influenced name https://islamguide.cloud/iranian-womens-names/ If you were to describe Layla in one sentence, what would it be? Or would you suggest a name with a similar vibe? 🌙
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Emanwenym · 18/09/2025 16:19

Enko's post says Layla was the bully. @Sossita

ZOMBIE THREAD

Sossita · 18/09/2025 14:38

Enko · 03/01/2025 08:08

For Layla bully.girl from.school
For Leila. Lovely baby my.neighbour had 30 years ago (we lost touch after I moved so only think of her as a baby)
I'm.not a big fan nor do I.think of it as classic or timeless

Why Layla bullied?

Theoldwoman · 07/01/2025 15:11

paranoiaofpufflings · 03/01/2025 15:54

What a desperately sad time you've been through. Sending you virtual strength and love. I'm glad you have puppy Layla to cuddle - dogs really are wonderful in times of grief.

Show quote history

Thank you for your very kind words. Pets are indeed excellent therapy. Always there when needed. It’s the most difficult thing I have ever experienced.

Newuser3468 · 05/01/2025 22:49

Makes me think of:

  1. the Eric Clapton song
  2. Futurama character (Leela)
  3. Sweet Valley High (although I think that was Lila)
moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 05/01/2025 22:32

I know and like the song (despite not liking Eric Clapton very much as a person). I quite like the name but am in two minds about the spelling. Part of me thinks Leila is the "proper" spelling and Layla looks a bit... simplified. But there are at least three possible pronunciations for Leila, so Layla has the advantage that the pronunciation is obvious. For what it's worth, I know someone (with no Arabic connections) who has a daughter called Laylah. I don't like that spelling as much as either of the others! Sounds like it ought to be lay lah, like lah-di-dah!

RogueFemale · 05/01/2025 02:18

EmpressaurusKitty · 03/01/2025 08:12

The OP sounds very AI. I wonder if they’ll come back or if this is meant to be promoting the linked baby names site?

Agree

Purplecatshopaholic · 04/01/2025 11:32

Love the name. It defo has Eric Clapton connotations for those of us of a certain age.

MaltipooMama · 04/01/2025 11:23

I love the name Layla, but then again we're planning on calling our upcoming little girl Lila so perhaps I just really like names with "L"s that end in "a"!

Emanwenym · 04/01/2025 11:05

AliceMcK · 04/01/2025 00:32

Eric Clapton song for me, though I thought it was Sting that sung it, I got confused with Roxanne.

Lylah/Lilah is very popular where I am, at least 4 of them in DDs primary school and 2 in my Year 8 DDs year group.

They sound completely different and although it was Sting singing Roxanne,it was The Police who recorded it.

I don't like Lylah. Same as with Layla, it's the spelling.

Commonsense22 · 04/01/2025 08:15

I think Layla is beautiful and a lovely name. I'm partial to soft names myself and this is lovely.

OzCalling · 04/01/2025 01:11

Twinklybeam · 04/01/2025 00:38

I like Leila. I also like Lyla, Lyra, Lola, Lara, Lana, Lila and even the ubiquitous Lily, but Layla looks ugly to me; just clunky and made up sounding.

Fully agree with this. Absolutely hate Layla, Leila is so much nicer.

Twinklybeam · 04/01/2025 00:38

I like Leila. I also like Lyla, Lyra, Lola, Lara, Lana, Lila and even the ubiquitous Lily, but Layla looks ugly to me; just clunky and made up sounding.

AliceMcK · 04/01/2025 00:32

Eric Clapton song for me, though I thought it was Sting that sung it, I got confused with Roxanne.

Lylah/Lilah is very popular where I am, at least 4 of them in DDs primary school and 2 in my Year 8 DDs year group.

theduchessofspork · 04/01/2025 00:26

Are you a bot?! That’s a very weird post.

I’m not keen on it but I’d spell it Leila if you do use it

Bessienol · 03/01/2025 21:59

I think the responses are very telling about the demographic on MN and the baby names section. Anyone 45 and under don’t associate it with Eric Clapton
I think there are a lot of posters who are replying on the forum who have very old fashioned taste

KhakiShaker · 03/01/2025 16:00

Eric Clapton song. Love it, it’s my favourite name. I do know someone who recently named their baby after the song.

paranoiaofpufflings · 03/01/2025 15:54

Theoldwoman · 03/01/2025 03:11

My 21 year old daughter named her golden retriever puppy Layla when she got her back in June 2024. My daughter passed away in November and Layla is now a family dog. She’s calm, bright, cuddly and very well behaved. She might be a dog but everyone comments on her name. It is a beautiful choice.

What a desperately sad time you've been through. Sending you virtual strength and love. I'm glad you have puppy Layla to cuddle - dogs really are wonderful in times of grief.

KilkennyCats · 03/01/2025 14:22

It wouldn’t be a particularly captivating choice for me.

Scutterbug · 03/01/2025 14:20

EmpressaurusKitty · 03/01/2025 08:12

The OP sounds very AI. I wonder if they’ll come back or if this is meant to be promoting the linked baby names site?

Totally agree, the post doesn’t flow right.

Leeloo1233 · 03/01/2025 14:17

I think of it as an arabic name, or someone who has middle eastern background

EmpressaurusKitty · 03/01/2025 08:12

The OP sounds very AI. I wonder if they’ll come back or if this is meant to be promoting the linked baby names site?

Enko · 03/01/2025 08:08

For Layla bully.girl from.school
For Leila. Lovely baby my.neighbour had 30 years ago (we lost touch after I moved so only think of her as a baby)
I'm.not a big fan nor do I.think of it as classic or timeless

Nc54684 · 03/01/2025 08:06

sounds a bit American to me

emmax1980 · 03/01/2025 07:57

I like it, it bounces off the tongue well.

FrogOnAYuleLog · 03/01/2025 07:56

It’s nice enough but there are masses of girls called Layla, Lyla, Lyra, Lola, Lara, Lana, Lila (pronounced both Lyla and Leela), Leila (pronounced both Layla and Leela) around at the moment. So that would be a no from me personally.

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