UK girl's name
Dayla
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "the shadow of God".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2002. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Dayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Dayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2002 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4137, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2002, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2002 to 2002. 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.
Dayla is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Dayla. 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 2003 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Dayla ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales in 2002, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2002, when 3 girls were registered as Dayla.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Dayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4137
2002
Births in 2002
3
Latest year
Peak year
2002
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Dayla mean?
The name Dayla is believed to have originated from the Arabic language, with roots dating back to the 7th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "dail," which means "guide" or "leader." This name was particularly popular in the Middle East and North African regions during the medieval period.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Dayla can be found in the historical annals of the Umayyad Caliphate, where it was mentioned as the name of a prominent scholar and poet who lived in the 8th century CE. Unfortunately, little is known about this individual's life, but their name's appearance in these ancient texts highlights the name's early usage.
During the Golden Age of Islam, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th century, the name Dayla gained popularity among Muslim communities. It was often given to individuals who were respected for their wisdom, leadership, or intellectual pursuits. This association with knowledge and guidance may have contributed to the name's enduring appeal.
In the 11th century, a notable figure named Dayla ibn Abi al-Faraj al-Isfahani was a renowned historian and writer from Isfahan, Iran. His extensive work, "Kitab al-Aghani" (The Book of Songs), is a significant contribution to the preservation of Arabic literature and music from that era.
Another historical figure with the name Dayla was Dayla al-Baghdadi, a 12th-century Sufi mystic and scholar from Baghdad. She was renowned for her spiritual teachings and her contributions to the development of Islamic mysticism.
In the 14th century, Dayla ibn Muhammad al-Qalqashandi was a prominent Egyptian scholar and writer who served as a secretary in the Mamluk court. His extensive work, "Subh al-A'sha," provides valuable insights into the administrative and cultural aspects of the Mamluk era.
Throughout history, the name Dayla has been associated with individuals who have made significant contributions to various fields, including literature, academia, and spirituality. While its usage may have fluctuated over time, the name's origins and historical significance remain deeply rooted in the Arabic and Islamic traditions.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Dayla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Dayla 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4137 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Dayla
- Daisy 49,435
- Danielle 13,507
- Darcie 11,010
- Darcy 10,516
- Darcey 9,708
- Delilah 9,098
- Demi 9,052
- Daniella 4,324
- Destiny 3,732
- Diana 3,258
- Dorothy 3,104
- Dolly 2,246
FAQ
Dayla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Dayla in the UK right now?
In 2002, Dayla was ranked #4137 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Dayla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2002, with 3 babies registered as Dayla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Dayla?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "the shadow of God".
How many people are called Dayla in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Dayla across the 1 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.