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Lyla

Girl name · 712 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Lyla: 712 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 77 births in 2025.

Lyla is a name with multiple origins, most commonly traced to the Arabic Leila or the Persian Lila, meaning “night” or “dark beauty,” evoking a sense of mystery and elegance. It also appears as a modern spelling of the Hebrew Delilah, though that name carries a different etymology. Notable bearers include Lyla El, the Egyptian singer and actress whose career spanned the mid-20th century, and Lyla Rocco, the Italian-American actress known for her work in 1950s cinema. The name has no strong place connections but shares its root with the Hindu festival of colours, Holi, where “lila” means divine play. A popular variant is Lila, which has been steadily rising in Scotland since the 2000s—Lyla itself has become a favoured choice for its soft, lyrical sound.