LEILA  

Gender: F
Origin: Persian
Meaning: "dark beauty, night"

Popularity in 2008: #226

The root name for a lush garden of similarly exotic examples, Leila was popularized by the poet Byron, who used it in a poem for a Muslim child. It's been chosen by such celebs as Al Roker and Greta Scacchi.

Variations:
Leyla, Leilia, Lelia, Lila, Leelah, Laila, Leela, Lela, Lilah, Layla, Lelah, Leland, Leilah

Leila is being discussed in our message boards:

• Alternitives to the top 10 boys and girls names!
• Triple A, Triple B, Triple C... Girls!
• Unexpected, soft, and pretty girl names?
• Help With L Names
• Layla/Laila/Leyla/Leila?

Read Nameberry blog posts about Leila:

• IRISH NAMES NOW: What's doing in Dublin?
• EMMA'S DAUGHTERS
• SILENT SCREEN NAMES: Vintage names of vamps and villains
• NAMES RESCUED FROM THE TITANIC
• TWIN NAMES: Individual Choices, Same Meaning