Laila
Variant of Leila and Layla, from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā), related to لَيْلَة (layla, “night”).
Every Laila since 1884 — 43,507 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Laila
Laila is moderately common for girls in the United States, ranked #413 in 2025 with 755 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1884, 43,507 American babies have been named Laila. Its peak came in 2008, when 2,414 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Laila stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Laila year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 755 | #413 | — | — |
| 2024 | 844 | #371 | — | — |
| 2023 | 989 | #313 | — | — |
| 2022 | 1,031 | #309 | — | — |
| 2021 | 1,253 | #243 | — | — |
| 2020 | 1,303 | #227 | — | — |
| 2019 | 1,461 | #210 | — | — |
| 2018 | 1,620 | #182 | — | — |
| 2017 | 1,751 | #173 | — | — |
| 2016 | 1,951 | #164 | — | — |
| 2015 | 1,889 | #170 | — | — |
| 2014 | 2,147 | #149 | — | — |
| 2013 | 2,143 | #144 | 5 | #13,248 |
| 2012 | 2,250 | #143 | 7 | #10,341 |
| 2011 | 2,198 | #141 | — | — |
| 2010 | 2,249 | #140 | — | — |
| 2009 | 2,379 | #135 | 5 | #13,633 |
| 2008 | 2,414 | #140 | — | — |
| 2007 | 2,365 | #148 | — | — |
| 2006 | 1,445 | #236 | — | — |
| 2005 | 1,453 | #234 | — | — |
| 2004 | 1,282 | #250 | 6 | #10,785 |
| 2003 | 1,306 | #250 | — | — |
| 2002 | 801 | #370 | — | — |
| 2001 | 612 | #453 | — | — |
| 2000 | 389 | #644 | — | — |
| 1995 | 110 | #1,459 | — | — |
| 1990 | 78 | #1,835 | — | — |
| 1985 | 70 | #1,671 | — | — |
| 1980 | 64 | #1,741 | — | — |
| 1975 | 62 | #1,597 | — | — |
| 1970 | 24 | #2,893 | — | — |
| 1965 | 20 | #2,787 | — | — |
| 1960 | 18 | #2,944 | — | — |
| 1955 | 15 | #3,040 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | 10 | #3,019 | — | — |
| 1940 | 6 | #4,111 | — | — |
| 1935 | 7 | #3,595 | — | — |
| 1930 | 13 | #2,487 | — | — |
| 1925 | 19 | #2,075 | — | — |
| 1920 | 25 | #1,683 | — | — |
| 1915 | 23 | #1,547 | — | — |
| 1910 | 7 | #2,027 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Laila
- Laila Kinnunen Singer · 1939–2000
- Laila Schou Nilsen Skier · 1919–1998
- Laila Halme Singer · b. 1934
- Laila Freivalds Politician · b. 1942
- Laila Ali Boxer · b. 1977
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Laila mean?
Variant of Leila and Layla, from Arabic لَيْلَى (laylā), related to لَيْلَة (layla, “night”).
How popular is the name Laila in 2025?
Laila ranked #413 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 755 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Laila?
43,507 babies have been named Laila in the United States since 1884, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Laila most popular?
Laila peaked in 2008, when 2,414 newborns received the name.
Is Laila a boy or girl name?
Laila is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Laila rising or falling?
Laila is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Laila?
Well-known people named Laila include Laila Kinnunen (singer), Laila Schou Nilsen (skier), Laila Halme (singer).