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Leila

Girl name · 490 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Leila: 490 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 28 births in 2012.

Leila is a name of Arabic origin, derived from *layl* meaning “night” or “dark beauty,” and it also has roots in Hebrew and Persian, where it carries similar associations of dusk and shadow. Famous bearers include Palestinian activist Leila Khaled, whose name became a symbol of resilience, and acclaimed violinist Leila Josefowicz, known for championing contemporary classical music. While no major places are named directly after a Leila, the name shares its lineage with the legendary Layla of the classical Persian love story *Layla and Majnun*—a tale of tragic devotion. A further note: the spelling “Layla” has become especially familiar thanks to Eric Clapton’s iconic 1970s love song, but the variant Leila remains popular across many cultures, offering a softer, equally lyrical alternative.