Layla, Laila? Do you like it and which spelling do you prefer?

[MrsRhettButler]

38 weeks and really struggling to find a name this time round, dp and I both have names we love but unfortunately we don't like each others choices :(

Laila is the only one we both like (ish)

What do people think?

My favourite spelling of this classic name it's the original one, Leila
What a beautiful name you have chosen.

My DD is Leila. Lovely name in my biased opinion. She is spelt that way as dh is from the middle east and that is supposed to be closest to the arabic spelling. It seems to be very popular name here in the middle east.

Love love love it! Would have been a top choice for dd but didn't go with middle name which was non negotiable

It is an Arabic/Muslim name and looks silly if you don't have any such connection imo, like an African boy called Christopher.

Leyla is the Turkish spelling, by the way.

Thanks for all the positive comments! I've never had such positivity from MN.

If we use it I will go for the Leyla/Leila spelling, not sure which yet.

So many names these days aren't english cote that I don't see it as that much of a problem, as an aside I actually know an african boy called Christopher and his brother is called Benjamin!

I like the meaning too 'dark haired beauty' (of course if she comes out blonde I may have to rethink but it's highly unlikely and her older sister is dark haired)

why would you think an african boy could not be named christopher, I imagine there are alot.

I have an arabic name.

in fact the more I think about it the more im assuming Christopher is probably quite a common name in Africa.

I thought that too festi nut wasn't sure, I thought Christian names were quite popular, dp's father is African and he called dp Michael, dp is English though just has African heritage

I think your name choice is lovely BTW. Id go Leila spelling.

Nut? *but

Thank you festi :) it's a bit of a relief to find one we both like with just over a week to go!

I had top 3 and after giving birth a completely random name I had not even considered came to me an I named DD quiet by accident. but I ove my dds name.

congratualtions and good luck.

I was referring to an African Muslim being called Christopher because parents liked its sound and picked a name that has no relevance to their own culture.

If you are not bothered by that, fine.

but people do though cote, I know a muslim boy with a name that is an old english or american name.

What difference does it make if the the name has Arabic origins?, I know the exact meaning of the name Leila or Leileth as it is known in Quran, legend says "Leileth is the darkest night or 28th night of holly month of Ramadan, but I don't think of that when I hear that name, I think of Eric Clapton hit verse"Leila you got me on my knees", good luck with the birth, I am sure she will be beautiful whatever you decide to call her.
We know two Leila's both beautiful(one is British Muslim).

Of the two Layla's I know, one is Muslim & one isn't. I don't think it matters at all. I knew a Leila at college, and she wasn't Muslim, either. I think it works in either culture.

Leila, lovely!

I like Laila, and prefer the spelling Laila.

or even spelling Leila

I have a Leila, she is blonde (not what i was expecting at all!) but, it suits her. Leila is 11 now and the name has really grown with her, it's not too cutesy and is a little bit different, but, not too unusual. The only annoyance is that when it's written down, alot of people seem unable to pronounce it, it's usually lee-la or lie-la before lay-la. However, i still love it, it trips off the tongue beautifully.

My friend has chosen Layla (hums music) for her unborn baby. It's a popular one methinks!

I love the name but Leila would automatically make me want to say 'Lee-la'. I prefer Layla as the spelling as it looks tidy & more symmetrical.

i have a Layla

its a LOVELY name :) /biased