This should be pronounced the Arabic way (LIE-lə) and Leila should be pronounced in the English way (LAY-lə)
― Anonymous User 1/27/2021
-2
As a native speaker of Arabic, I assure you that the Arabic pronunciation is "lai-laa", where the first syllable's 'a' is pronounced like the short 'u' in "hut", which smoothly transitions into the 'i'. The 'a' in the second syllable is pronounced like the long 'a' in "hat", which is why I wrote it twice. It's worth mentioning, however, that due to specific characteristics of Arabic, the 'a' in the second syllable might be shortened during speech depending on the first sound of the word right after it.
Layla is a beautiful name. I love the meaning of this name a lot! :D Also ignore the person who made the first comment for Layla and said it's pronounced "lie-lah". It's definitely pronounced LAY-lə in Hebrew just like the correct Arabic pronunciation "LAY-lə". The Arabic and Hebrew language do have similarities as they're both Semitic languages and have common roots.
― Anonymous User 9/17/2015
2
In the two Arabic speaking countries I've lived in, it is pronounced LAY-la. The only people I've heard pronounce it LIE-la are the Filipinos that come to work here... I don't think anyone is trying to disrespect any languages.
― Anonymous User 4/26/2011
2
"LIE-la," "LAY-la," and "LEH-la" are all encountered in Arabic - it depends on the dialect. In Modern Standard Arabic, the first syllable is pronounced "LIE." In Egyptian and Levantine Arabic, it is closer to "LAY" or "LEH."
The name is correctly pronounced Lie-la since it is an Arabic name. Maybe if English speakers would respect other languages it would not be difficult to pronounce. Once again it is pronounced Lie-lah since in Arabic syllables are combined. The "lay" in Layla would then be pronounced as the word "lie". Not "lay" as in come "lay" with me. If you want it to be pronounced Lay-lah then write it Leyla or Leila. This is Arabic. Respect other languages.
This name is never, ever, ever pronounced as LIE-la or LEE-la. Only by ignorant Americans is it ever pronounced that way, and even then I've never heard it said that way before. How do you get the LIE or LEE sounds from Layla, anyways? I could maybe see how from Leila, but Layla is a really phonetic name.
― Anonymous User 2/23/2008
2
It is pronounced LAY-la in English, not Lie-la. LAY-la is the way it's pronounced in the famous Eric Clapton song that first brought it to most people's attention. I don't really see how you can get the pronunciation "Lie" from the letters "Lay" in English, anyway.Layla is a beautiful name, as is Leila!