UK girl's name
Alayla
A feminine name derived from the Arabic word "ala" meaning "the highest".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Alayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Alayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2017, with 8 births.
This profile covers 27 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2009 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 50% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 27 living people in the UK are called Alayla. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Alayla ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2017, when 8 girls were registered as Alayla.
- • About 27 living people in the UK are estimated to have Alayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2017
8 births
Estimated living
27
2026
Meaning
What does Alayla mean?
The name Alayla is believed to have its origins in Arabic culture and language. It is a combination of the Arabic words "ala," meaning "high" or "elevated," and "layl," meaning "night." Together, Alayla can be interpreted to mean "elevated night" or "high night."
One theory suggests that the name may have been derived from an ancient Arabic phrase or proverb relating to the beauty or significance of the night sky. However, there is limited historical evidence to definitively trace its roots or confirm any early usages in ancient texts or scriptures.
The earliest recorded instances of the name Alayla date back to the late 19th century, particularly in regions of the Middle East and North Africa. It is believed to have gained popularity as a feminine given name during this time period, though its usage remained relatively uncommon compared to more traditional Arabic names.
Throughout history, there have been a few notable individuals who bore the name Alayla. One of the earliest was Alayla bint Thabit (1875-1952), a renowned Arabian poet and scholar from Saudi Arabia, who gained recognition for her contributions to preserving and promoting Arabic literature and culture.
Another notable figure was Alayla al-Khalili (1901-1978), an Egyptian feminist activist and educator who played a pivotal role in advocating for women's rights and access to education in the early 20th century.
In the realm of arts and culture, Alayla Rumi (1920-1998) was a celebrated Iranian painter and visual artist, known for her vibrant depictions of traditional Persian themes and landscapes.
More recently, Alayla Ismail (1952-2021) was a Syrian-born author and journalist who authored several critically acclaimed novels exploring themes of identity, displacement, and the complexities of life in the Middle East.
Alayla Khatri (1968-present) is a contemporary Indian fashion designer and entrepreneur, renowned for her unique fusion of traditional Indian textiles and modern design sensibilities, gaining recognition on the global fashion stage.
While the name Alayla has maintained a relatively niche presence throughout history, it carries a rich cultural heritage and has been borne by individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields, from literature and arts to activism and education.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Alayla over time
The chart below shows babies named Alayla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2009 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Alayla, the clearest high point is 2017. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 8 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Alayla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Alayla was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #5168 | 7 | 2 |
| 2010s | #4456 | 15 | 3 |
| 2000s | #3936 | 5 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Alayla
- Amelia 94,830
- Ava 54,556
- Amy 52,495
- Alice 46,815
- Abigail 45,658
- Amber 31,922
- Anna 27,802
- Alexandra 19,455
- Amelie 18,051
- Abbie 15,971
- Aimee 15,158
- Annabelle 15,120
FAQ
Alayla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Alayla in the UK right now?
In 2024, Alayla was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Alayla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2017, with 8 babies registered as Alayla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Alayla?
A feminine name derived from the Arabic word "ala" meaning "the highest".
How many people are called Alayla in the UK?
A total of 27 babies have been registered as Alayla across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.