Rising since 1990, #117 for girls today.
Popularity of Alaia since 1986
Babies named Alaia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 6 |
| 1990s | 42 |
| 2000s | 230 |
| 2010s | 3,770 |
| 2020s | 13,634 |
Meaning & origin
Alaia has risen swiftly in U.S. popularity, ranking 117th in 2025 compared to its first recorded appearance in 1986. Its peak year so far is 2024, and the name has been on an upward trajectory since the 1990s, reflecting modern parents' attraction to melodic, multi-origin names. The name is particularly favored in Rhode Island, Delaware, and Alaska, according to recent data. While its meaning varies between 'joyful' in Basque and 'exalted' in Arabic, both origins lend the name a positive and aspirational quality. Alaia's style aligns with other fashionable names like Kehlani and Magnolia, suggesting it fits a contemporary, nature-inspired or soft-sounding trend.
Alaia is a Basque word meaning 'joyful' or 'happy' (from 'alai' + the feminine suffix '-a'). It is also a given name in Arabic, where it is derived from 'al-'aliyya', meaning 'the exalted' or 'the sublime', one of the attributes of God. The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world in the late 20th century, influenced by fashion and celebrity culture rather than its Basque or Arabic roots.
Where Alaia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alaia” around the world
Where Alaia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
85
babies in 2024
New Zealand
16
babies in 2025
Quebec
16
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ala, Lala, Aya
Sibling names for Alaia
Names that share Alaia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Alaia
Names whose popularity has moved with Alaia's over the last 50 years.
