Last updated: March 2026

Character Name

Laila

Meaning — A variant spelling of Layla/Leila, from the Arabic root "l-y-l" meaning night. Laila captures the same connotations of nocturnal beauty, mystery, and intoxicating longing that have made this name one of the most celebrated in Arabic and Persian literary tradition, through the endlessly retold love story of Laila and Majnun.·Arabic origin·Female·LAY-lah

Laila Laila shares the deep romantic resonance of Layla — a name suffused with night, longing, and a beauty that becomes a kind of fate for those who encounter it. Characters named Laila often must reckon with the weight of being desired and mythologized, finding their own interiority in a story that others keep trying to tell for them.

Best genres for Laila

RomanceHistorical FictionLiterary FictionContemporary Fiction

Famous characters named Laila

Laila

Layla and Majnun — Nizami Ganjavi

The tribal girl whose name and inaccessibility drive the poet Qays to madness — in Sufi interpretation a symbol of the divine beloved that the soul pursues across every barrier.


Variations & nicknames

LailaLaylaLeilaLyla

Pairs well with

Laila Al-HassanLaila MansourLaila KhalilLaila NasserLaila RashidLaila Aziz

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Related names


More Arabic names

Luqman

“Of ancient Semitic origin, Luqman is possibly related to Hebrew roots but is most prominent as an Arabic name of somewhat uncertain etymology. In Islamic tradition, Luqman al-Hakim (Luqman the Wise) is the sage featured in Surah 31 of the Quran, celebrated for the profound wisdom he imparted to his son — making his name synonymous with practical wisdom and parental guidance.”

Bilal

“Derived from the Arabic root "b-l-l" meaning to moisten, refresh, or quench thirst, Bilal conveys the idea of bringing relief and refreshment. It is most famously borne by Bilal ibn Rabah, an Abyssinian former slave who became the first muezzin (caller to prayer) in Islam, celebrated for his beautiful voice and unwavering faith under persecution.”

Zahra

“From the Arabic root "z-h-r" meaning to bloom, to shine, to be radiant, Zahra means "flower", "brilliance", or "radiant one". It is most famously used as an epithet for Fatima al-Zahra, the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, and remains one of the most beloved feminine names across the Islamic world.”

Yasmin

“From the Persian and Arabic word "yāsamīn" referring to the jasmine flower, a plant prized for its intensely sweet fragrance. The jasmine is a symbol of love, beauty, and elegance across Persian, Arabic, and South Asian cultures, and the name evokes the delicate yet persistent perfume of the flower.”

Aziz

“From the Arabic root "ʿ-z-z" meaning to be mighty, powerful, or rare and precious — conveying both physical strength and the rarity of the precious. Al-Aziz (The Mighty) is one of the 99 names of God in Islam. As a name for humans, Aziz means "powerful", "dear", "precious", or "beloved", combining strength with preciousness.”

Rania

“From the Arabic root "r-n-w" or "r-n-y" meaning to gaze, to look with admiration, or to be captivated, Rania means "one who gazes" or "a queen who captivates". It conveys a regal beauty that arrests the attention and the imagination of all who behold it.”


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