Layla in Chinese
Layla in Chinese is 莱拉 (Lái Lā).
- Origin
- Arabic
- Meaning
- night
Etymologically, Layla is Arabic and is commonly glossed as "night". It first shows up in US Social Security records in 1950 and peaked in 2013.
3 ways to write Layla
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
莱拉
Lái Lā
The standard transliteration of Layla: 莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')"), 拉 (lā, "to pull (phonetic 'la')"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
The mapping is one character per syllable: 莱 (lái) carries "lay", 拉 (lā) carries "la". The tone contour is 2-1 (rising, high level).
Character breakdown
18 strokes total (simplified)- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 拉
lā
Tone 1 · 8 strokes (simplified)
to pull (phonetic 'la')
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
静涵
Jìng Hán
Inspired by "night": 静 (jìng, "quiet, serene") + 涵 (hán, "to contain; inclusive"), expressing elegance and good character.
Why these characters?
Layla's meaning ("night") has no direct Chinese equivalent, so 静 (quiet, serene) and 涵 (to contain; inclusive) express elegance and good character instead.
Character breakdown
25 strokes total (simplified)- 静
jìng
Tone 4 · 14 strokes (simplified)
quiet, serene
- 涵
hán
Tone 2 · 11 strokes (simplified)
to contain; inclusive
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Stroke order
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
莱婉
Lái Wǎn
莱 (lái, "goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')") + 婉 (wǎn, "gentle, graceful"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 莱 (lái), the same opening character as the transliteration 莱拉, for the "lay" sound, and replaces the rest with 婉 ("gentle, graceful") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
21 strokes total (simplified)- 莱
lái
Tone 2 · 10 strokes (simplified)
goosefoot plant (phonetic 'lai')
- 婉
wǎn
Tone 3 · 11 strokes (simplified)
gentle, graceful
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Layla
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Layla ranked 32 among names recorded for girls, with 35,046 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 80,841 girls named Layla since 1950, with the high point in 2013 (6,477 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1247 to #26 among girls.
- Peak year
- 2013
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1950
- Total since 1880
- 80,841
More About Layla in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Layla offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Layla, you'll find options that work for you.
If you're exploring Chinese names for girls, you might also be interested in Aaliyah in Chinese, Patricia in Chinese, and Lydia in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Brittney in Chinese, Breanna in Chinese, and Angelina in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Layla, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Layla to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How is Layla translated into Chinese?
莱拉 (Lái Lā), or 萊拉 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How popular is the name Layla?
US Social Security records show 80,841 girls named Layla since 1950, with the high point in 2013 (6,477 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #1247 to #26 among girls.
Is there a Chinese name for Layla with real meaning?
Try 静涵 (Jìng Hán): quiet, serene + to contain; inclusive, inspired by "night". For something that still sounds like Layla, 莱婉 (Lái Wǎn) is a middle ground.