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Leila vs Maryam

Which is more popular?
Leila is more popular than Maryam today: about 1,193 US babies were given the name Leila in 2025, compared with 869 named Maryam.
LeilaMaryam
Meaning night Arabic form of Mary / Miriam
Origin arabic arabic
Gender Girl Girl
Pronunciation LAY-lah MAR-yam
Syllables 2 2
First appeared18801946
Peak year2010 (1,509)2025 (869)
In 20251,193869
TrendSteadyNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Leila Maryam
18801900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeLeilaMaryam
2020s 7,702 4,304
2010s 13,914 4,932
2000s 9,904 2,455
1990s 2,177 1,191
1980s 2,106 600
1970s 1,624 284
1960s 1,578 66
1950s 1,740 0
1940s 1,852 13
1930s 2,473 0
1920s 3,340 0
1910s 2,830 0
1900s 1,529 0
1890s 1,588 0
1880s 1,079 0

What does Leila mean?

Variant spelling of Layla, from Arabic 'layl' meaning 'night'. The 'Leila' form was popularized in English via 19th-century Western literature.

What does Maryam mean?

Maryam (مريم) is the Arabic form of the biblical Mary/Miriam, borne by Maryam, mother of the prophet 'Isa (Jesus), who is highly honoured in Islam and has a Quranic chapter (Surah Maryam) named for her. The name is ultimately pre-Arabic, from Hebrew Miryam, and its original meaning is debated among scholars (proposed senses include 'beloved', 'bitter', and an Egyptian root meaning 'beloved'). Mariam is a common alternate transliteration.

Frequently asked questions

Is Leila or Maryam more popular?

Leila is more popular than Maryam today: about 1,193 US babies were given the name Leila in 2025, compared with 869 named Maryam.

What is the difference between Leila and Maryam?

Leila means night (arabic origin), while Maryam means Arabic form of Mary / Miriam (arabic origin).

Which name is older, Leila or Maryam?

In US records, Leila first appears in 1880 and Maryam in 1946, so Leila has the longer recorded history.