Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Ayla
GirlTurkish, Hebrew· “moonlight halo; oak tree”
- Meaning
- moonlight halo; oak tree
- Origin
- Turkish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- AY-luh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #77
- US babies 2025
- 3,149
- Best rank
- #69 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Ayla
Ayla is a Turkish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “moonlight halo; oak tree”.
Ayla has more than one source. In Turkish it refers to the halo of light around the moon, from ay, meaning moon. In Hebrew, the similar name Ela means terebinth or oak tree. The name became more familiar in English after Jean Auel's novel The Clan of the Cave Bear used it for its heroine. Ayla feels light and lovely, with a soft two-syllable sound. It fits easily with names like Layla and Ava, and it is easy to use in many languages.
Popularity over time
Ayla first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years, starting in 1987. Its best national rank was #69 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,253 babies. In 2025, 3,149 babies were named Ayla, and it ranked #77 nationally. That is 161% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #874 in 2000, #351 in 2010, and #77 in 2025. Of the 38,040 US girls named Ayla since records began, 43% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 12,566 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Emery, Daisy, Maeve, Millie, and Eden.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Ayla ranked highest in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Delaware.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | #23 | 22 |
| Massachusetts | #27 | 125 |
| Delaware | #35 | 14 |
| Hawaii | #45 | 12 |
| Maine | #50 | 16 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Ayla is usually pronounced AY-luh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with A and ends in “-la”.
Middle names for Ayla
A few middle names that flow with Ayla: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Ayla
Similar names
Leyla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Turkish
#611
Ela Girl
EH-luh
“short form of Elżbieta or Daniela” · Polish
#1,562
Ella Girl
EH-luh
“other; also a short form” · Germanic
#29
Layla Girl
LAY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#36
Mila Girl
MEE-luh
“gracious, dear” · Slavic
#43
Stella Girl
STEL-uh
“star” · Latin
#52
Isla Girl
EYE-luh
“from the Scottish island Islay” · Scottish
#28
Lyla Girl
LY-luh
“night” · Arabic
#80
Ava Girl
AY-vuh
“uncertain, possibly a form of Eve” · Germanic
#11
Hannah Girl
HA-nuh
“grace, favor” · Hebrew
#56
Leah Girl
LEE-uh
“weary” · Hebrew
#58
Gianna Girl
jee-AH-nuh
“God is gracious” · Italian
#33
Lists that include Ayla
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Ayla mean?
Ayla is a Turkish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “moonlight halo; oak tree”.
What is the origin of the name Ayla?
Ayla has Turkish and Hebrew roots. Ayla has more than one source.
Is Ayla a popular name?
Yes. Ayla ranked #77 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Ayla a boy or girl name?
Ayla is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Ayla?
Ayla is usually pronounced AY-luh. 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