Rising since 1985, #77 for girls today.
Popularity of Ayla since 1963
Babies named Ayla per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 6 |
| 1970s | 15 |
| 1980s | 1,058 |
| 1990s | 2,431 |
| 2000s | 5,637 |
| 2010s | 12,566 |
| 2020s | 16,327 |
Meaning & origin
Ayla has seen a remarkable rise in popularity since the mid-1980s, entering the U.S. charts in 1963 and reaching a rank of 77 by 2025. The name peaked in popularity in 2024, reflecting its steady upward trajectory. With a 1-in-510 frequency, Ayla is particularly favored in states like Rhode Island, Delaware, and Hawaii. Its appeal likely stems from its cross-cultural resonance and soft, melodic sound, blending Turkish and Hebrew roots into a name that feels both exotic and accessible.
Ayla has multiple possible origins. In Turkish, it derives from 'ay' meaning 'moon', with 'ayla' meaning 'moonlight' or 'halo'. It is also considered a variant of the Hebrew name Eila, meaning 'oak tree' or 'terebinth'. In modern usage, the name gained prominence through Jean M. Auel's 'The Clan of the Cave Bear' (1980), whose protagonist Ayla helped popularize the name in English-speaking countries.
Where Ayla 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.
“Ayla” around the world
Where Ayla lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
#79
in 2024
Ireland
#39
in 2025
New Zealand
#37
in 2025
Quebec
#59
in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#43
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ay, Lala
Sibling names for Ayla
Names that share Ayla's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Nora, Leila, Zara, Lila, Alanah, Kaya, Laya, Myla, Nikia, Nyla, Sama, Tyla, Adia, Anyla, Aylani, Ayra, Inara, Jaeda, Jaela, Jaila, Kaleena, Layah, Liyah, Mayla, Nuri, Rayah, Risa, Saraya, Sayra, Sheyla, Shylah, Tayah, Teya, Zada, Ziah, Aaira, Aayla, Ailey, Aisa, Aiyla, Amila, Aryia, Asli, Aveyah, Ayzel, Brayla, Caylah, Daila, Damaya, Esma, Esra, Hayla, Irha, Kahla, Kayda, Kayra, Keyri, Khyla, Kilah, Lalah, Leeya, Leina, Maleny, Mayan, Mayar, Mayela, Meelah, Meila, Milaya, Mysha, Nalah, Naylah, Nazli, Neyda, Neyla, Niema, Niyla, Raiya, Rylah, Saleen, Sayla, Teela, Yemaya, Yeni, Zaidee, Zaylah, Aayra, Adana, Adeya, Ailed, Akyla, Alyla, Aylana, Aylee, Aylissa, Aylla, Ayza, Azyla, Cennet, Cyara, Dazia, Dmya, Eilah, Elaya, Emiya, Izara, Izel, Jahdai, Jeyla, Kalana, Kaleiah, Keyerra, Khiya, Kismet, Kiyla, Miray, Mylin, Naba, Nihan, Raela, Sanyah, Sehar, Sema, Seylah, Shiza, Torah, Tylea, Ysela, Zhavia, Aizal, Ayssa, Miraal, Zabdi, Zakyla, Aala, Aaliyan, Adaja, Adiva, Ahja, Ariba, Ariea, Arzoyi, Aylanie, Ayzia, Azka, Azylah, Baela, Besan, Chasya, Daveah, Deem, Dejha, Duru, Halaina, Ishia, Kalya, Khila, Lanyla, Levee, Liela, Linah, Liyla, Liylah, Maiza, Mayara, Maylah, Meylin, Nejla, Niayla, Nikyah, Nylaa, Nyrah, Ruya, Sanye, Shaili, Shalah, Shalay, Sheza, Taela, Tyrina, Xaila, Yahvi, Yali, Yasna, Yesha, Zadia, Zaeda, Zilah, Zuley
Brothers: Kai, Liam, Noah, Ethan, Milo, Ayven, Gael, Rayan, Sami, Anay, Aslan, Azlan, Duran, Kolin, Osman, Shia, Talan, Tyrin, Yerik, Zaine, Zyon, Aaiden, Acen, Adal, Adem, Amarian, Arda, Arhan, Asahd, Aycen, Aydon, Azhar, Azir, Cyler, Esiah, Esvin, Eydan, Eziah, Iden, Kaan, Sharan, Tayven, Yasiel, Zaydan, Zaylan, Zidan, Zidane, Ziyan, Amyr, Ata, Ayaz, Aysen, Ayyan, Berk, Dakai, Diyan, Eilam, Eldar, Izick, Kaizyn, Keian, Kemal, Kerim, Keyaan, Khairo, Khalan, Maykel, Mycah, Obi, Robel, Ryaan, Sael, Sanav, Suleyman, Taylan, Timur, Zaiel, Zayin, Zymire, Asar, Iktan, Adoni, Adren, Adyen, Ahil, Ahzir, Akiel, Alann, Amazi, Aras, Asaun, Aseem, Ashyr, Asil, Axil, Ayeden, Ayvin, Balen, Earon, Ehitan, Icker, Jayleon, Jazir, Jkai, Keyion, Kyion, Laden, Makyle, Marquin, Meba, Micco, Mikhai, Omir, Ozil, Saban, Tiwan, Yasiah, Yunay, Zahkai, Zayir, Zekai
Names like Ayla
Names whose popularity has moved with Ayla's over the last 50 years.
