Names like Lily, Layla, and Leilani have one of the distinctive sounds of this generation. Although they are of different origins and styles, they share the L-vowel-L-vowel pattern: “La-La names”, we call them. Light and lilting, it’s no wonder parents lo-lo-love them.
Here's our guide to girl names with this lovely sound, including classic Lily, fast-rising Leilani, modern Lynlee and more.
It has pulled up similar-sounding names along with it, including existing international classic Liliana, rehabilitated “bad girl” Lilith, and creations like Lilybelle. So when Meghan Markle and Prince Harry named their daughter Lilibet, it wasn't just a whimsical honor name, but a choice that totally fits today’s trends. Lilibet broke onto the charts in 2021 and more than doubled in use in 2022, when it was given to 25 baby girls.
Here are our favorite names with a “Lily” sound, most of which have potential for Lily (in any spelling) as a nickname.
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There are dozens of spelling variants, some more ambiguous than others. Is Lila pronounced the same as Leela? Or is it more like Lyla, or Lailah? The Turkish spelling Leyla is on a rising streak at the moment.
Speaking of rising stars, from the other side of the world comes Leilani. Meaning “heavenly flower” in Hawaiian, this name has been rising steadily since the 1990s, and entered the Top 100 in 2020. It has sparked over 30 spelling variations, from Laylonnie to Lailany, which are especially popular in the states bordering Mexico, and has led parents to similar names like Kailani and Ehlani. All are pretty, but the Hawaiian originals are likely to be the most timeless choices.
Lola first returned to public attention as the nickname Madonna gave her daughter Lourdes; since then, it has been a steady favorite, though never at the very top of the charts. (Her saucier cousin Lolita remains a rare, controversial choice.)
Lula, Luella and Lulu, which all originated as diminutives for Lu- names like Lucy and Louisa, are fun yet classy candidates for revival.
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Leland, on the other hand, is a Top 500 name for boys, but is also given to a few girls each year. And the shortened version Laelynn (with many spelling variations) is exclusively used for girls.
Clare Green has been writing for Nameberry since 2015, covering everything from names peaking right now to feminist baby names, and keeping up-to-date with international baby name rankings. Her work has featured in publications such as The Independent and HuffPost. Clare has a background in linguistics and librarianship, and recently completed an MA dissertation researching names in multilingual families. She lives in England with her husband and son. You can reach her at [email protected]
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