UK girl's name
Nayla
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "successful" or "attaining heights.".
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.
Nayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #776, with 48 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 48 births.
This profile covers 409 England and Wales registrations across 28 recorded years from 1996 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.
Nayla is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 407 living people in the UK are called Nayla. 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
- • Nayla ranked #776 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 48 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 48 girls were registered as Nayla.
- • About 407 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#776
2024
Births in 2024
48
Latest year
Peak year
2024
48 births
Estimated living
407
2026
Meaning
What does Nayla mean?
The name Nayla is of Arabic origin and is believed to have derived from the Arabic word "nai'l," which means "attainment" or "achievement." The name is predominantly found in Arabic-speaking regions of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as among Arabic communities around the world.
The earliest recorded use of the name Nayla dates back to the 7th century CE, during the early Islamic era. It is believed that the name gained popularity among Arab families as a way to express their hopes and aspirations for their daughters to achieve great things in life.
One of the earliest known references to the name Nayla can be found in the works of Arabic literature and poetry from the 8th and 9th centuries CE. Some historians suggest that the name may have been inspired by the Arabic word "nai'la," which means "a bright star" or "a shining light."
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Nayla. One of the earliest recorded examples is Nayla al-Andalusiyyah (1023-1090 CE), a renowned Andalusian poet and philosopher from medieval Spain. Her works were widely celebrated for their beauty and depth.
Another notable figure is Nayla Moushir (1900-1979), an Egyptian actress and singer who was one of the pioneers of Arabic musical theater. She was known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, and her contributions to the Egyptian arts and culture are widely recognized.
In the 20th century, Nayla Comair-Obeid (1923-2011) was a prominent Lebanese writer and journalist who played a significant role in raising awareness about women's issues and advocating for gender equality in the Arab world.
Nayla Tuwayni (1943-2020) was a Syrian artist and sculptor whose works celebrated the resilience and strength of women. Her sculptures can be found in public spaces and museums around the world, and she is considered one of the most influential Arab artists of her time.
More recently, Nayla Al Khaja (born 1976) is a renowned Emirati film director and producer who has been instrumental in promoting the growth of the film industry in the United Arab Emirates. Her works have been showcased at numerous international film festivals and have received critical acclaim.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Nayla over time
The chart below shows babies named Nayla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 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 Nayla, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 48 births in 2024, compared with 48 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nayla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nayla 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 | #1007 | 175 | 5 |
| 2010s | #2104 | 171 | 10 |
| 2000s | #3243 | 51 | 9 |
| 1990s | #3842 | 12 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Nayla
- Niamh 20,347
- Nicole 19,687
- Natasha 15,578
- Nancy 12,607
- Naomi 12,199
- Natalie 10,885
- Nevaeh 7,869
- Nina 7,285
- Neve 7,180
- Natalia 7,099
- Nadia 6,032
- Nicola 4,927
FAQ
Nayla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Nayla in the UK right now?
In 2024, Nayla was ranked #776 for girls in England and Wales, with 48 births registered.
When was Nayla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 48 babies registered as Nayla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Nayla?
A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "successful" or "attaining heights.".
How many people are called Nayla in the UK?
A total of 409 babies have been registered as Nayla across the 28 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.