Meaning: Its source is a Kiswahili expression meaning "Black beauty."

Languages: This girl's name is used in English and Kiswahili.

Popularity: The name Lela ranked 485th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: For Kiswahili speaker, it is based on an expression meaning ''Black beauty.'' For English speakers, it is an alternate form of Leila.