Lela
Lela is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Night, dark beauty, or loyal.
Origin and history
Lela is a traditional feminine name with roots in Swahili, Hebrew, and Arabic etymologies, often associated with concepts of night, beauty, or loyalty. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States, it retains a classic, vintage charm. In contemporary times, it is a gently used vintage alternative to names like Leila or Layla.
Popularity in the United States
43,005 babies in the United States have been named Lela since 1880. It ranks #660 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1532.
States where it is most popular
- TX (12 %)
- AL (6.8 %)
- NC (6.2 %)
- MS (6.1 %)
- TN (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 1,915 |
| 1890-1900 | 3,892 |
| 1900-1910 | 4,473 |
| 1910-1920 | 7,007 |
| 1920-1930 | 7,840 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,619 |
| 1940-1950 | 3,362 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,382 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,478 |
| 1970-1980 | 1,068 |
| 1980-1990 | 864 |
| 1990-2000 | 687 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,380 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,467 |
| 2020-2029 | 571 |
Famous people named Lela
- Lela Rochon: Actress
Fun facts
- Lela was a top-100 name in the United States during the late 1880s and early 1890s.
- The name appears independently in Arabic, Hebrew, and Swahili traditions, sharing origins with names like Leila.