Declining since 2021.
Popularity of Ayo since 1972
Babies named Ayo per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 35 | 22 |
| 1980s | 15 | 11 |
| 1990s | 10 | 19 |
| 2000s | 8 | 23 |
| 2010s | 0 | 38 |
| 2020s | 11 | 42 |
Meaning & origin
Ayo, a Yoruba name meaning joy, has been in U.S. usage since at least 1973. It reached its peak popularity in 2021, though it remains uncommon enough that the Social Security Administration does not assign it a formal rank. The name has a falling trajectory since its peak year, 2021. It has not appeared in any state's top 1000 list, indicating its continued rarity despite cultural recognition. Ayo represents a direct connection to Yoruba language and culture, offering a positive meaning without any burden of overuse.
Ayo is of Yoruba origin, deriving from 'ayò' meaning joy or happiness. In Yoruba culture, names emphasizing positive attributes are common. The name is used across West Africa and among the diaspora. In Nigeria, Ayo is often a unisex name though more commonly given to boys.
“Ayo” around the world
Where Ayo lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ayoọ, Ayọ
Sibling names for Ayo
Names that share Ayo's style, for a brother or sister.
