Alternatives to Layla

X is undoubtedly one of the coolest initials to have, and more parents are agreeing — Xyla entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022. Xyla comes from the Greek xylon, meaning "wood" — the same root that makes up the word xylophone (literally meaning "wood sound"). The subtle musical connection in this name may be an additional appeal.

Zayla debuted on the US Top 1000 in 2021. The name might be thought of as the popular Ayla or Layla with the trendy letter Z at the beginning. Variations include Zaylah, Zaylani, and the male Zaylan.

Zora is a meaningful literary heroine name honoring Zora Neale Hurston, an important black writer and leader of the Harlem Renaissance.

Now that Zoe is getting wildly popular in the U.S. and the U.K. -- one poll puts it at number one in Wales -- parents may start hunting down fresh twists like this.

Names like Zaylee and Zayden show that adding a Z to a stylish sound can make for a popular name. Zyla is the newest entry in this category, a mix of the zippy letter and the trending name Lila/Lyla.