Leila (name)

Leila (, , ) is a feminine Arabic given name primarily found in the Middle East, including all Arab countries, as well as Iran, Turkey, and Israel. In the Latin alphabet, the name is commonly spelled in multiple ways, including Leila, Layla, Laylah, Laila, Leyla, and Leylah.

Leila comes from the Arabic word ''layl'' (), which means "night", or "dark". The name is often given to girls born during the night, signifying "daughter of the night".

The story of ''Qays and Layla'' or ''Layla and Majnun'' is based on the romantic poems of Qais Ibn Al-Mulawwah () in 7th century Arabia, who was nicknamed Majnoon Layla (), Arabic for "madly in love with Layla", referring to his cousin Layla Al-Amiriah (). His poems are considered the paragon of unrequited chaste love. They later became a popular romance in medieval Iran, and use of the name spread accordingly. The name gained popularity further afield in the Persianate world such as Iran and Pakistan also amongst Turkic peoples and in the Balkans and India.

The Indian name is "Leela" or "Lila" And is of Sanskrit origin and related to Hindu religion and philosophy. The name in Sanskrit translates to "play or divine play". It can also mean " act of God". Leela is also associted With Hindu goddess Durga. The concept of 'Leela' is rooted in Hindu philosophy and cosmology. The most famous example is 'Ramleela' related to Lord Ram and 'Rasleela' related to Lord Krishna. Layla or Leila, although similar sounding to Leela, have no connection to the name and its origin. Leela/Lila is of Sanskrit origin Indian name and Leila is of Arabic origin. The Word "Leela" and "Leila" have different origins, meanings and cultural significance, though they are phonetically similar.

In the Nordic countries Laila or Lajla is derived from the Sami name ''Láilá'', the Sami variant of Helga which means "holy". Provided by Wikipedia