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Baby names

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

Baby girl name choice

10 replies

Sossita · 20/09/2025 08:25

I like the name Layla. Is there any bad connotation or short names related to it or it is safe to use in the UK?

Lina
Hannah

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ResusciAnnie · 20/09/2025 08:29

Love Hannah!

There are lots of L names - Layla, Lola, Lyla, Lila, Leila, Lyra - I know multiples of all of these. They’re nice names hence popular. But all kind of meld into one.

Pemba · 20/09/2025 08:35

I would say they are all nice names, no bad connotations. Some people will say that Hannah is dated though as it was very popular in the UK in the 80s and 90s. I still like it though and I think it's classic enough to ignore that.

I would spell Layla as Leila though, just looks more elegant imo and more true to the Arabic origins of the name.

Assume Lina is to be pronounced as 'Lee-na'? If so, I would spell it Lena, that's more usual here.

Sossita · 20/09/2025 08:45

Pemba · 20/09/2025 08:35

I would say they are all nice names, no bad connotations. Some people will say that Hannah is dated though as it was very popular in the UK in the 80s and 90s. I still like it though and I think it's classic enough to ignore that.

I would spell Layla as Leila though, just looks more elegant imo and more true to the Arabic origins of the name.

Assume Lina is to be pronounced as 'Lee-na'? If so, I would spell it Lena, that's more usual here.

Lina is said leena

OP posts:
ResusciAnnie · 20/09/2025 09:27

Pemba · 20/09/2025 08:35

I would say they are all nice names, no bad connotations. Some people will say that Hannah is dated though as it was very popular in the UK in the 80s and 90s. I still like it though and I think it's classic enough to ignore that.

I would spell Layla as Leila though, just looks more elegant imo and more true to the Arabic origins of the name.

Assume Lina is to be pronounced as 'Lee-na'? If so, I would spell it Lena, that's more usual here.

Leila could be Leela, I’d assume that. It’s ambiguous.

Many Lenas are pronounced layna. Lina is quite phoenetic - it’s not gonna be pronounced Linna or Line-a. Leena is the most obvious and correct pronunciation. Follows Alina, Mina, Gina, Tina.

Moreteaandchocolate · 20/09/2025 10:31

I love Layla - it works brilliantly in the UK. Only downside is the popularity of Lila / Lyla / Lola / Lily etc so you could have others with similar names in her class. It wouldn’t put me off as they are all different names, but just in case it bothers you.

I also like Hannah - it was really popular in the past so feels slightly dated, but it’s such a lovely classic that I would absolutely use it anyway.

Lina is nice too - I like that it’s more unusual, but with that comes more potential spelling / pronunciation issues, if that bothers you?

LoudPlumDog · 20/09/2025 14:22

My dog is Layla, she’s calm and very beautiful ❤️

Whateverwillwedonow · 20/09/2025 14:41

I love Layla.

It makes me think of the Eric Clapton song which I love (although he was singing about Pattie Boyd who was then married to George Harrison so not sure if unrequited love is your thing).

Mandarinaduck · 20/09/2025 15:39

Layla is lovely and no bad connotations for me.

I like all three names equally.

Alexandrine · 20/09/2025 20:21

No bad connotations to any of them. Which one you pick might depend on whether you want her name to stand out or blend in.

Lina and Layla will blend in with all the Lily’s, Lyla/Lila’s, Lyra’s etc - it’s a popular style at most UK primary schools. You may also have spelling issues with Lina/Lena and Layla/Leila as both spellings are used.

Hannah is more classic, simple to say and spell, but not as popular at the moment- she’ll likely be the only one in class, possibly the school (personally all the ones I know are young adults or older ).

miniaturepixieonacid · 20/09/2025 23:41

No bad connotations. It's a pretty name. But easily merged into a blur of L names. In one year group, we have Layla, Lyla, Leela, Lila and Lola. Lina falls into the same category

I love Hannah though. Pretty, classic and elegant. I know dozens of adult Hannahs (who all seem to be delightful people) but no little ones. It would be fresh.

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