Rising since 1985, #2,354 for girls today.
Popularity of Ayala since 1974
Babies named Ayala per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 21 |
| 1980s | 67 |
| 1990s | 106 |
| 2000s | 226 |
| 2010s | 395 |
| 2020s | 386 |
Meaning & origin
Ayala is a name of dual heritage: a Hebrew word for a graceful gazelle and a Spanish surname rooted in geography. First recorded as a given name in the U.S. in 1974, it has been steadily rising in popularity since 1985. In 2025, it reached its peak rank of 2354, with a frequency of 1 in 20874 births. The name is most popular in New Jersey, New York, and California. Its sound aligns with other modern -a ending names, while its meanings evoke nature and elegance. For parents seeking a name with biblical resonance or Iberian flair, Ayala offers a concise, melodic option.
Ayala is a Hebrew name meaning 'gazelle' or 'deer', deriving from the word 'ayalah' (איילה). In the Hebrew Bible, the term appears as a symbol of grace and swiftness. Separately, Ayala is a Spanish surname (originally a toponym) from the Basque word 'ai' meaning 'rock' and 'alde' meaning 'side', referring to a hermitage or pasture. As a given name, it has been used in Jewish communities and gained modern popularity as a feminine name.
Where Ayala is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ayala” around the world
Where Ayala lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Aya, Yala
Sibling names for Ayala
Names that share Ayala's style, for a brother or sister.
