The nameAyla

Ayla is a girl's name with Turkish and Hebrew roots, meaning "halo of light" or "oak tree". It has risen in Britain and the United States.

Meaning

In Turkish, ayla means "halo, moonlight". In Hebrew, ela or ayla means "oak tree" or "terebinth".

Origin

Turkish and Hebrew. Two origins meet in the name. Jean M. Auel's novel The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980) gave the name to its heroine.

History

Ayla rose in the 2000s and 2010s, reaching the top 50 in England and Wales and the top 70 in the United States.

Famous people named Ayla

Popularity of the name Ayla

Ayla in the United States

69thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024
2024peak year (3,236 births)
34,866babies named Ayla in the United States since 1880
01,6183,236 18801900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ayla was most popular in the United States in the 2020s, with 13,158 births over the decade, 38% of all recorded babies named Ayla. Its rise began around 1987, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Ayla in the United States were born before 2017, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 2,632 births a year on average, against 1,426 in the five years before.

Ayla in the United Kingdom

45thmost popular girls' name in the United Kingdom in 2025
2025peak year (1,099 births)
11,226babies named Ayla in the United Kingdom since 1997
05501,099 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in the United Kingdom. Source: ONS, NRS and NISRA (England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland), names given at least 3 times a year.

Ayla was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2020s, with 5,870 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Ayla. Its rise began around 2007, and it peaked in 2025. Half of all babies named Ayla in the United Kingdom were born before 2020, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 1,002 births a year on average, against 674 in the five years before.

Ayla in Ireland

39thmost popular girls' name in Ireland in 2025
2025peak year (112 births)
781babies named Ayla in Ireland since 1964
056112 198020002020
Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Ayla in France

76thmost popular girls' name in France, latest official figures
2025peak year (665 births)
4,030babies named Ayla in France since 1900
0333665 1900192019401960198020002020
Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Ayla in Belgium

67thmost popular girls' name in Belgium in 2025
2025peak year (125 births)
988babies named Ayla in Belgium since 1995
063125 1995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Belgium. Source: Statbel, names given at least 5 times a year.

Ayla in Switzerland

40thmost popular girls' name in Switzerland in 2025
2025peak year (144 births)
1,209babies named Ayla in Switzerland since 2000
072144 200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Switzerland. Source: Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Ayla in Austria

67thmost popular girls' name in Austria in 2025
2025peak year (117 births)
617babies named Ayla in Austria since 1984
059117 198519901995200020052010201520202025
Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Ayla in Norway

115thmost popular girls' name in Norway in 2025
2025peak year (50 births)
516babies named Ayla in Norway since 1945
02550 1960198020002020
Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Sibling names for Ayla

Names from the same generation as Ayla, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Ayla? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Compare Ayla with another name

Meaning, origin and popularity of Ayla side by side with the name of your choice.

Ayla in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Ayla mean?

In Turkish, ayla means "halo, moonlight". In Hebrew, ela or ayla means "oak tree" or "terebinth".

What is the origin of the name Ayla?

Turkish and Hebrew. Two origins meet in the name. Jean M. Auel's novel The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980) gave the name to its heroine.

Is Ayla a girl's or a boy's name?

Ayla is a girl's name.

How popular is the name Ayla?

In 2024, Ayla was the 69th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,236 births.

What are good sibling names for Ayla?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Leilani, Iris, Catalina and Eliana for a sister, Rory, Leon, Arthur and Myles for a brother.

Who are famous people named Ayla?

Ayla, heroine of The Clan of the Cave Bear; Ayla Kell, actress.