Leili is a name of Persian origin, meaning "night beauty" in Persian language. It is derived from the Persian word "leyli", which means night, and the Persian word "jan", which means beauty or soul.
The name Leili has a rich history in Persian literature and culture. It is most famously associated with the 13th-century poet Rumi's epic poem "Masnavi". In the poem, Leili is the beautiful maiden who captures the heart of Majnun, a young man who becomes so enamored with her that he loses his mind.
The name Leili has also been popularized by the Iranian actress and singer Googoosh, whose real name was Faegheh Fakhri, but she adopted the stage name Leili. She became one of Iran's most popular singers in the 1950s and 1960s.
Today, Leili is still a popular name among Persian-speaking communities around the world. It is considered to be a beautiful and unique name that carries with it a rich cultural heritage. Despite its origins, the name Leili has also gained popularity beyond Persian-speaking communities due to its aesthetic appeal and meaning.
Statistics on the given name Leili in the United States show a varied pattern over time. From 1998 to 2022, there were a total of 117 babies named Leili born in the U.S.
The number of births per year ranged from a low of 5 in several years to a high of 11 in 2020. Here's a breakdown by decade:
* In the late 90s and early 2000s, the name gained some popularity with 5 babies named Leili born in 1998, peaking at 9 births in 2007.
* The middle of the 2000s saw a slight decrease, with 5 or 7 births per year from 2004 to 2012.
* In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Leili's popularity increased again, with 10 births in 2019 and 11 births in 2020.
Interestingly, despite fluctuations in popularity over time, the name Leili has consistently been chosen for at least a few babies each year since 1998. This demonstrates that while Leili may not be one of the most popular names, it remains a distinctive choice among parents who prefer less common names for their children.