The nameYaya
Yaya is a West African boy's name, a form of Yahya.
- Boy's name
- West African
Meaning
Like Yahya, the Arabic name of John the Baptist, it is often understood as "he lives".
Origin
West African, of Arabic origin.
History
First given in France in the early 1960s, Yaya has grown steadily and is at its highest level today, mostly in the Île-de-France region.
Famous people named Yaya
- Yaya Touré, Ivorian footballer
Popularity of the name Yaya
Yaya in France
Yaya was most popular in France in the 2020s, with 270 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Yaya. Its rise began around 1975, and it peaked in 2024. Half of all babies named Yaya in France were born before 2009, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 47 births a year on average, against 29 in the five years before.
Yaya in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yaya mean?
Like Yahya, the Arabic name of John the Baptist, it is often understood as "he lives".
What is the origin of the name Yaya?
West African, of Arabic origin.
Is Yaya a girl's or a boy's name?
Yaya is a boy's name.
Who are famous people named Yaya?
Yaya Touré, Ivorian footballer.