Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Aya
GirlArabic, Hebrew· “sign, miracle”
- Meaning
- sign, miracle
- Origin
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AH-yuh
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #644
- US babies 2025
- 449
- Best rank
- #630 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Aya
Aya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “sign, miracle”.
Aya is a short name with roots in several unrelated languages. In Arabic, aya means sign, token or miracle, and it is also the word for a verse of the Quran. In Hebrew, ayah is the name of a bird of prey, usually translated as kite or falcon, listed among the birds in the Book of Leviticus. In Japanese, Aya is a common girls' name whose meaning depends on the characters used, such as color, design or patterned silk. The name is widely used in the Arab world, Israel and Japan, and the French singer Aya Nakamura has made it familiar in Europe.
Popularity over time
Aya first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 12 different years, starting in 2014. Its best national rank was #630 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 469 babies. In 2025, 449 babies were named Aya, and it ranked #644 nationally. That is 45% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,261 in 1980, #1,602 in 2000, #1,056 in 2010, and #644 in 2025. Of the 7,987 US girls named Aya since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 2,417 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Selene, Winona, Freyja, Rivka, and Andi.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Aya ranked highest in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | #245 | 37 |
| Massachusetts | #339 | 17 |
| Illinois | #385 | 27 |
| New York | #422 | 41 |
| Virginia | #438 | 18 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Aya is usually pronounced AH-yuh, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with A and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Aya
A few middle names that flow with Aya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Aya
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Lists that include Aya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Aya mean?
Aya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “sign, miracle”.
What is the origin of the name Aya?
Aya has Arabic, Hebrew, and Japanese roots. Aya is a short name with roots in several unrelated languages.
Is Aya a popular name?
Yes. Aya ranked #644 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Aya a boy or girl name?
Aya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Aya?
Aya is usually pronounced AH-yuh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings