Rising since 2012, #5,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Zelaya since 2008
Babies named Zelaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 38 |
| 2020s | 76 |
Meaning & origin
Zelaya is a rare modern girls' name that first appeared in U.S. records in 2008. As of 2025, it ranks 5,917th, with a usage rate of 1 in 80,363 girls. The name has been steadily rising in popularity since 2012, reaching its peak rank in 2025. Though its origins are uncertain, it is sometimes linked to the Basque surname Zelaya, meaning 'meadow.' The name has been adopted in English-speaking countries primarily as a given name, without strong ties to any particular region or culture.
Zelaya has no clear etymology as a given name. It appears to be a modern coinage or adaptation, possibly influenced by the Spanish surname Zelaya (itself of Basque origin, from 'zelaia' meaning 'plain' or 'meadow'). Its use as a first name in the United States began only in the 2000s, likely through surname adoption or creative naming.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zel, Zelly, Laya
Sibling names for Zelaya
Names that share Zelaya's style, for a brother or sister.
