Leila and Layla are different English spellings of the same Arabic name ليلى.
Leila is the Persian and French-influenced spelling, dominant in Iran, Turkey (as Leyla), and among Western readers who encountered the name through Persian poetry and Orientalist literature. Leila/Layla/Laila — all the same luminous night, all the same legendary beloved of Qais, all the same Arabic root.
Meaning
What Leila means
Leila means: Night — the Persian and Western literary spelling. The name comes from the Arabic ليلى and carries the same deep Islamic meaning regardless of which spelling is used.
Leila is the Persian and French-influenced spelling, dominant in Iran, Turkey (as Leyla), and among Western readers who encountered the name through Persian poetry and Orientalist literature. Leila/Layla/Laila — all the same luminous night, all the same legendary beloved of Qais, all the same Arabic root.
For the complete dictionary meaning, Arabic root analysis, letter-by-letter Ilm ul Huroof reading, and the full spiritual portrait — see the complete Layla page.
All Spellings
How Layla is spelled around the world
The name ليلى is transliterated into English differently across different Muslim communities and traditions. All spellings are equally valid — they all refer to the same Arabic name with the same meaning:
Frequently Asked Questions
About the name Leila
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Is Leila the same as Layla?
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What is the Ilm ul Huroof reading of Leila?
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