Thoughts on Layla

[Snoopy90]

Just wondering what people think of Layla?

We're really struggling to name out new baby girl. I was set on either Saskia or Anastasia but can't convience partner. He really wants India which I like but don't love it.

We both like Layla. But I think it's quite popular atm which is putting me off a bit, I really wanted something a bit more unusual. Also, do you think it would suit an adult? Thanks!

It's an Arabic name.
It means dark woman.
There is a real life love story, tragedy that ends in death and the heroine is named Layla.
Like Romeo and Juliet, but Layla and Mujnu existed, he was taunted for falling in love with an ugly dark skinned girl, but his stance was it was true love and transcends aesthetics.
So that is the origins of the name Layla / Leila.
As for how it sounds, of you don't mind an Arabic name and you don't mind it being common, it's a very nice name with interesting origins.

Why on Earth would anyone discount a name because it’s Arabic?

Mine is Hebrew, my sons’ are Welsh and Persian!

Anyway, Leila is great. It doesn’t look right as Layla.

Saskia is my favourite from your list. Not so keen on Layla however it’s spelt but it’s just because I went to college with an annoying one.
Can’t you wear your partner down lol. I do love India as well though. You’ve got good taste between you!

Are you the same poster who has done seven threads already about baby names lol?

Very popular here - both spellings. But lovely!

Love it.

@frith2013 I did wonder that myself about 'minding' that it's an Arabic name, I'm sure the op hasn't been 'warned' that Anastasia is a Russian name. Hopefully the pp meant to just say, Layla is an Arabic name. Layla means night or one night.

Love it!

Love it!

This was our top girls name cus of the Eric Clapton song.....DP and I have been saying for 10 years it would be pur daughters name. Now pregnant and have literally heard hundreds of Laylas, from people on the street calling after their child, to a character on Emmerdale. It's incredibly popular.

Also we found out last week we having a boy....and that's a whole different battle with name choice.

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.

It's certainly not chavvy. Really beautiful name.

Why would it's Arabic origin offend you?!

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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!

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.

The only Leilas I know are Jewish.

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.

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.

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 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.

Thanks everyone. Glad to hear feeeback mostly positive.

I just wish it wasn't so popular. But then I guess names are popular because they're nice.

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