Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ayesha
GirlArabic· “alive, living”
- Meaning
- alive, living
- Origin
- Arabic
- Pronunciation
- eye-EE-shuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,396
- US babies 2025
- 156
- Best rank
- #974 (1979)
- Peak year
- 2016
Meaning and origin of Ayesha
Ayesha is an Arabic name that means “alive, living”.
Meaning 'alive' or 'living', Ayesha is a form of the Arabic Aisha. The name is closely associated with Aisha, wife of the Prophet Muhammad and an important transmitter of early Islamic tradition. It is widely used in the Muslim world and in South Asia. In English literature, Ayesha is the mysterious queen of H. Rider Haggard's adventure novel She. The name has a graceful sound with the stress on the second syllable, and Aisha and Aysha are alternative spellings.
Popularity over time
Ayesha first appears in US Social Security records in 1950. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 1979. Its best national rank was #974 in 1979, and the most babies received it in 2016, when 178 were named Ayesha. In 2025, 156 babies were named Ayesha, and it ranked #1,396 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,772 in 1950, #1,003 in 1980, #1,571 in 2000, #1,994 in 2010, and #1,396 in 2025. Of the 6,696 US girls named Ayesha since records began, 21% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 1,214 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emalyn, Skylah, Linnea, Aveline, and Calla.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ayesha ranked highest in New York, Maryland, and Washington.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #464 | 37 |
| Maryland | #742 | 6 |
| Washington | #745 | 8 |
| New Jersey | #856 | 8 |
| Illinois | #940 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ayesha is usually pronounced eye-EE-shuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with A and ends in “-ha”.
Middle names for Ayesha
A few middle names that flow with Ayesha: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ayesha
Similar names
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Lists that include Ayesha
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ayesha mean?
Ayesha is an Arabic name that means “alive, living”.
What is the origin of the name Ayesha?
Ayesha has Arabic roots. Meaning 'alive' or 'living', Ayesha is a form of the Arabic Aisha.
Is Ayesha a popular name?
Not especially. Ayesha ranked #1,396 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Ayesha a boy or girl name?
Ayesha is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ayesha?
Ayesha is usually pronounced eye-EE-shuh. 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