UK girl's name
Liyla
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "night".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2017. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Liyla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Liyla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2017 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5765, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2012, with 3 births.
This profile covers 9 England and Wales registrations across 3 recorded years from 2012 to 2017. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 9 living people in the UK are called Liyla. 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 2018 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Liyla ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales in 2017, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2012, when 3 girls were registered as Liyla.
- • About 9 living people in the UK are estimated to have Liyla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5765
2017
Births in 2017
3
Latest year
Peak year
2012
3 births
Estimated living
9
2026
Meaning
What does Liyla mean?
The name Liyla has its origins in Arabic, deriving from the word "layl" which means "night" or "evening." It is a beautiful and melodic name that evokes a sense of tranquility and serenity associated with the night-time hours.
The earliest recorded use of the name Liyla can be traced back to ancient Arabic literature and poetry, where it was often used as a symbolic representation of beauty, mystery, and the allure of the night. In some Islamic texts, Liyla is also mentioned as a name associated with one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, further cementing its significance within the Islamic tradition.
Throughout history, the name Liyla has been carried by notable figures across various cultures and regions. One of the earliest known individuals with this name was Liyla al-Akhyaliya, a renowned 9th-century Arabic poet from Basra, who was celebrated for her lyrical compositions and her unwavering pursuit of knowledge.
In the 12th century, Liyla Bint al-Majnun, a Persian princess and poet, left an indelible mark on the literary world with her poignant verses and her tragic love story, which has been immortalized in numerous tales and legends.
During the Ottoman Empire, Liyla Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Murad III, was a prominent figure known for her patronage of the arts and her efforts in promoting education and cultural advancement.
In more recent times, Liyla Gültekin, a Turkish painter and ceramist, gained recognition for her vibrant works that celebrated the rich cultural heritage of her homeland. She was born in 1924 and passed away in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence.
Liyla Cavendish, an English author and historian born in 1945, has contributed extensively to the study of ancient civilizations and their cultural traditions, with a particular focus on the Middle East and North Africa.
These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals who have carried the name Liyla throughout history, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and contributing to the rich tapestry of human civilization.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Liyla over time
The chart below shows babies named Liyla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2012 to 2017. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Liyla, the clearest high point is 2012. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2017, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Liyla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Liyla 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5809 | 9 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Liyla
- Lily 72,956
- Lucy 70,663
- Lauren 50,664
- Leah 33,185
- Lola 24,525
- Layla 24,520
- Laura 23,471
- Lilly 21,714
- Lydia 18,353
- Libby 14,515
- Lara 13,415
- Lacey 13,406
FAQ
Liyla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Liyla in the UK right now?
In 2017, Liyla was ranked #5765 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Liyla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2012, with 3 babies registered as Liyla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Liyla?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "night".
How many people are called Liyla in the UK?
A total of 9 babies have been registered as Liyla across the 3 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.