Declining since 2015, #2,368 for girls today.
Popularity of Sumaya since 1969
Babies named Sumaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 26 |
| 1990s | 144 |
| 2000s | 631 |
| 2010s | 923 |
| 2020s | 413 |
Meaning & origin
Sumaya is a name of Arabic origin meaning 'high-born' or 'exalted,' rooted in the concept of elevation. It has been in consistent use in the United States since first appearing in records in 1969. Its popularity peaked in 2016, but since 2015 the name has been on a falling trajectory, indicating it was most fashionable in the 2010s. The name is geographically concentrated, with top states including Minnesota, Washington, and New York, reflecting its use in communities with significant Somali and other Muslim populations.
Sumaya is the feminine form of the Arabic name Sumayy, derived from the root s-m-w, meaning 'height' or 'elevation.' The name is associated with Sumayyah bint Khayyat, an early convert to Islam and the first martyr in the faith, giving it significant religious resonance. It has been used across the Arabic-speaking world and among Muslim communities globally.
Where Sumaya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Sumaya” around the world
Where Sumaya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Su, Maya
Sibling names for Sumaya
Names that share Sumaya's style, for a brother or sister.
