Nyla

Bright, spirited, and playful, Nyla shares sounds with the popular Isla, Lila, Layla, and Delilah, making it feel fresh and in style. A name with a number of possible origins, it made a brief, anomalous appearance on the US charts in 1941, before disappearing again for the next 60 years. It has been back in the US Top 1000 since 2001, and is currently on the rise, given to around 1230 girls each year.

One theory around Nyla's origin is that it derives from the Arabic name Naila - also spelled Nayla, Neyla, and Na'ila - giving it a meaning associated with ambition and success. While the traditional pronunciation would be na-EE-luh, Nyla could be an Anglicized interpretation. Another possibility is that Nyla is a feminine form of Niles, Neil, or Niall, meaning either "cloud" from the Old Irish nél or "hero; champion" from the Old Irish nia.

Anlla and Nila might provide another source of inspiration: both are Sanskrit and Hindi names meaning "wind, air" and "dark blue" respectively. Alternatively, Nyla may just be a modern creation, inspired by Kyla, Tyler, and Skyler.

Wherever it comes from, Nyla is now a well-established choice in the US and is equally on the rise in the UK, where it is in the Top 250.

Famous bearers of the name include Indian actress Nyla Usha and New Zealand long-distance runner Nyla Carroll.

Pronounced NY-luh.

As of October 2026, Nyla ranked #236 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #227 in 2021, Nameberry popularity #356.