Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Haya
GirlHebrew, Arabic· “life (Hebrew); modesty (Arabic)”
- Meaning
- life (Hebrew); modesty (Arabic)
- Origin
- Hebrew, Arabic
- Pronunciation
- HY-uh
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,916
- US babies 2025
- 101
- Best rank
- #1,829 (2024)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Haya
Haya is a Hebrew and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “life (Hebrew); modesty (Arabic)”.
Haya has two independent sources. In Hebrew, it is related to chaya, "alive" or "living," from the same root as Chaim and Chava, the Hebrew form of Eve. In Arabic, haya means "modesty" or "bashfulness," a valued virtue in Islamic ethics. The name is used in Israel, in Jewish communities, and across the Arab world. It is usually said HY-uh in English. With two positive meanings in two languages, this short name travels well, and Aya can serve as a pet form.
Popularity over time
Haya first appears in US Social Security records in 1960. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,829 in 2024, the same year it reached its highest count of 110 babies. In 2025, 101 babies were named Haya, and it ranked #1,916 nationally. That is 46% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #9,494 in 1980, #5,785 in 2000, #3,771 in 2010, and #1,916 in 2025. Of the 1,680 US girls named Haya since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 589 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Yatziri, Ryah, Saraya, Jermani, and Amila.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Haya ranked highest in New Jersey, California, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | #978 | 7 |
| California | #1037 | 26 |
| Virginia | #1096 | 6 |
| Texas | #1488 | 16 |
| Ohio | #1547 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Haya is usually pronounced HY-uh, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with H and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Haya
A few middle names that flow with Haya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Haya
Similar names
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Diya Girl
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Zoya Girl
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Kya Girl
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Nya Girl
NY-uh
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Lists that include Haya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Haya mean?
Haya is a Hebrew and Arabic name that is usually said to mean “life (Hebrew); modesty (Arabic)”.
What is the origin of the name Haya?
Haya has Hebrew and Arabic roots. Haya has two independent sources.
Is Haya a popular name?
Not especially. Haya ranked #1,916 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Haya a boy or girl name?
Haya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Haya?
Haya is usually pronounced HY-uh. 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