Lejla

[Cosmoa]

I have just seen this on my Facebook feed as my friend has just been to a party for a little girl called 'Lejla'. I was like... Oh no! Please don't tell me that's supposed to be Layla 😭😭😭

It is 😞

I'm all for unusual/uncommon names.. but this one is a bit too far, even for me!

Actually, I think it's fine. It's the normal spelling in some Slavic languages.

I suppose it depends where parents are from... It's actually how they spell it in some countries...

Isn't it foreign?

I'm led to believe they aren't slavic.. I'm 99% sure it's just to be different. Layla is a popular name where they are from so I reckon they're just trying to be different.

I know it's a really name and spelling in some countries. Like Kaya/Kaja.

I just can't get on board with people using a j for a y when they're British!

I’d have assumed it was a foreign spelling rather than an attempt at yooneek, plus I’d have automatically pronounced it Layla so I don’t think it’s too bad. I’ve definitely seen worse!

I think I was trying to say "I know it's a real name" there haha! Jeez my spelling and sentences are always going tits up on here!

I've seen Leila as a spelling before. Are you sure it wasn't a typo, with i and j being close on the keyboard?

They might have Slavic ancestry? Parents or grandparents or even great grandparents?
They could have named her after someone they know even if they're not Slavic themselves?

Yeah I'm sure it's not a typo.. There are pictures with a banner showing the name written that way.

I've definitely seen worse too! I know someone who named their daughter 'Alyvia' recently 😖

I'd like to think it's a Slavic connection but I reeeeally doubt it.

Could be worse though as people have said!

I considered the spelling Kaja to be different and then told myself off for being silly 😂😂😂

Well as you don't know for sure then I wouldn't judge.
Even if they have no foreign connections, it's still a name in its own right albeit in a different language

It’s Jo Cox’s daughter’s name, maybe they copied it from her?

It's kind of funny that you're saying not to judge when that's all people seem to do on here! I didn't really say anything nasty did I? 🙄🙄🙄

I was like... Oh no! Please don't tell me that's supposed to be Layla 😭😭😭

It is 😞

this one is a bit too far even for me!

You do sound like you're judging the parents when you don't know the meaning behind the name they've chosen. Even if they're not Slavic, what's the problem?

Hey.. I'm sure they're lovely parents. I just think the problem is that the kid is gonna get their name mispronounced all its life for the sake of their parents wanting to be a bit different! It's the type of area where they would do that.. And the type of area where a kid would get loads of stick for it.

Nevertheless, I'm sure it'll make for a well rounded child!

If they aren't Slavic then I'd be judging... I find it actually borderline offensive when people use names from other cultures and languages just to be 'different' or 'unusual'.

@booniloo
But the OP doesn't know for sure whether they have Slavic connections.
Are you also against names like Isabel, Xavier, Raphael, Anya, Natasha, Marie etc?

I think the spelling is fine. To be honest, my default spelling of the name would be Leila, so it's closer than the Layla spelling.

@bonniloo There are SO many popular names in the UK which aren't British, Isabella, Sophia... Are they all offensive to you?

Yes but.

Lejla
Lajla
Layla
Laila
Leila
Leyla

Which is the correct spelling?

I'm not offended... Chill out 😂

I'm not 'against' any names but I just dislike when people ignore the culture and history behind names just to be a bit different. There are names that come from other cultures that over generations have become 'naturalised' in Britain to the point where people often don't know where they came from originally. While it saddens me slightly that those names no longer bring connotations of one particular culture that's already happened and those names now no longer automatically stand out as originating from a particular culture (to those who don't necessarily know). I was born in a country outside the UK and moved here as a child. My name is an important link to my history and culture for me and I feel like those connections are minimized when names from there are used by people with no connections to my own culture, more so when it is just 'to be unique' rather than for any meaningful reason.

English people would be very restricted if they could only use names originating in England. Anyway ‘Layla’ is of Arabic origin, there isn’t an exact translation to Roman script and although I personally don’t like the j most people will see the name and would realise it should be pronounced y.