Girl · Sanskrit · Hindu
Laya
लयSay it LUH-yaa
- Meaning today
- Rhythm, melody
- Original meaning
- "tempo, musical time; rest; absorption, merging" Monier-Williams, p. 903
- Say it
- LUH-yaa
- Written
- लय
- Other spellings
- Layaa
Laya
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Laya meaning
Laya (लय) is a Hindu girl's name of Sanskrit origin.
Tempo, musical time; rest; absorption, merging
Also used to mean: rhythm, melody
Laya (लय) is the Sanskrit laya, from the verb lī, "to cling to, to melt into". Monier-Williams gives a wide range of senses: clinging, melting or absorption into something, rest and repose, delight and an embrace. In music laya is the tempo, of which there are three kinds, fast, medium and slow, and also the union of song, dance and instrumental music. In Indian music and dance the word is still the everyday term for tempo and rhythm, which is how name lists give it. Laya is used across South India. The best-known bearer is the Telugu actress and Kuchipudi dancer Laya.
Source: Monier-Williams, Sanskrit–English Dictionary (1899), p. 903 · entry laya · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Monier-Williams, laya, p. 903 · Laya (actress) (Wikipedia)
Famous namesakes
- Laya, Telugu film actress and Kuchipudi dancer
Fits your syllable
First sound ल
Ashwini nakshatra, pada 4 · Mesh rashi
This exact sound isn't in the table; the closest is ला, which differs only in vowel length. North Indian table. Tables vary by region and family tradition, so confirm with your priest.
Spellings
Laya · Layaa