Layla or Leila?

[GentlePoet]

Or another spelling? I’ve seen Layla, Leila, Laila, Leyla, Leylah, Laylah. I think I prefer Layla or Leila but can’t decide which. Also seen Laela but that looks too made up (because it is) so it isn’t really an option. TIA!

I believe that would actually be Layla, as there is no equivalent to the letter e in Arabic! So honestly we're probably going to end up going with Layla but I'm still just a little unsure

I love the Layla spelling and think it looks beautiful and very classy :)

If it helps, my daughters name is Amira and we're trying to decide triplet names (2 boys and a girl) and if we go with Layla/Leila (unsure) one of the boys will be Mikael, and one either Rafi, or Ismael. So if that changes which spelling you would choose:

Amira, Mikael, Rafi, Layla

If it helps, my daughters name is Amira and we're trying to decide triplet names (2 boys and a girl) and if we go with Layla/Leila (unsure) one of the boys will be Mikael, and one either Rafi, or Musa. So if that changes which spelling you would choose:

Amira, Mikael, Layla, Rafi
Amira, Mikael, Leila, Rafi

Amira, Mikael, Layla, Musa
Amira, Mikael, Leila, Musa

I think Leila might suit the other names better? But still not sure

I don't find Layla chavvy at all! Anyone that says it is is entirely wrong even just objectively because Layla is the "correct" spelling of the name! It's Arabic, and Layla is the most direct translation as there is no "e" in Arabic. (Layla is also winning in the poll)

I've actually changed my mind. With just the 2 spellings of Leila/Layla to consider I prefer Leila. But with your other DC names I think Layla looks nicer/feels more appropriate.

I would choose Rafi of your boy names but I'm fully biased as I have one myself. He gets lots of compliments on it.

Honestly though all your options are nice. Congratulations.

I'm tending towards Rafi as I'm not sure I want any of the triplets to share initials. My only thing is I think Rafi and Mikael may not go together but I suppose that's for another thread. I think I probably will end up going with Layla (if we don't pick another name) just because it's the most authentically Arabic translation as well. Thank you!

Calm the fuck down lol.

I’m allowed to have my opinions, based on personal associations in real life. I also don’t judge people just based on a name. I think Chantelle is also a chavvy name but recently met a lovely and helpful Chanetelle in the medical profession. Stop being so offended.

It is not ‘wrong’ to have an opinion is it. You did ask.

To me...

Leila = "leeeeee la"
Layla/laila = 'Laaay -la"

I've never met a leila pronounced "lay-la" and I know 3.

I think Layla is a beautiful spelling and a beautiful name.

If I really couldn't decide between spellings would pick the spelling Layla or Laila depending on what looked better with the middle / surname. E.g Layla Smyth or Laila Smith

Ahh, Mumsnet - that well known sanctuary for the easily offended. Not!

@GentlePoet

I think Amira and Laila go brilliantly with each other.

My friend has a Rafferty who is Raffi and it's such a cute name!

Id still be really weiry of Leila because some people WILL pronounce it LEEla . If you don't mind this then go for Leila but if you think this will bother you then I'd defo opt for Layla or Laila.

Good luck for their birth and hope all goes well.

X

@GentlePoet , the Arabic transcribes as Laila not Layla. ليلة
It doesn't show the fathah over the yaa, but there is one.

I prefer Rafiq to Rafi

Wait sorry I didn’t mean the opinion was wrong, I did ask for those I more so meant people that think Layla is an unnecessary way to spell it, even though it’s the “correct” way

There isn't one "correct" way when it comes to transliteration.

Leila has longer English roots as a spelling than Layla. It was a speaking popularised by Byron and used since. Eg, one of the first Blue Peter presenters in the 50s was called Leila.

The Layla spelling was made famous by the song in the 60s.

They are both valid and other variants are available.

MariaVT65 · Today 05:14
My DH had this debate as we nearly chose this name for our daughter.
**
I said Leila
DH said Layla
**
Tbh i think Layla looks a bit more ‘chavvy”

How very dare you?!😁
Eric Clapton was most certainly not a chav!

Mira, Layla and Rafi - goooooorgeous names!

In that case I'd say Leila

The Leila I know pronounces it Lie-la

@LiterallyOnFire , you could argue that about any language that doesn't use a Latin alphabet.

Layla

I'd say Leila as lee-lah

I named my gorgeous siamese cat Leila. It's a beautiful name! Leila imo is a more modern spelling than Layla.

The song's awful

But the fact is that people do judge names all the time! Loads of names have that chavvy association-Jayden, Kayden etc and maybe some people will think your daughter's name is too.
But presumably you chose it because you loved it so why does what anyone else thinks bother you? Anyone who is that worried about whether a name has chavvy associations should stick to names like Elizabeth or Charlotte.