Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Yahya
BoyArabic, Hebrew· “Arabic form of John”
- Meaning
- Arabic form of John
- Origin
- Arabic, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- YAH-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #616
- US babies 2025
- 455
- Best rank
- #616 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Yahya
Yahya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “Arabic form of John”.
Yahya is the Arabic form of John and the name of the prophet known in English as John the Baptist, who is honored in the Quran as a righteous prophet and the son of Zechariah. The English John goes back to Hebrew Yohanan, "God is gracious," while many Arabic speakers also connect Yahya with the verb meaning "to live," so the name carries a sense of life as well. It has been used across the Muslim world for centuries and remains a respected traditional choice. Pronounced YAH-yuh, Yahya is short and easy to say, and it links naturally to its many relatives, from Juan and Giovanni to Ivan.
Popularity over time
Yahya first appears in US Social Security records in 1972. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 8 different years, starting in 2015. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #616, and its highest count, 455 babies. Use has grown 116% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #4,930 in 1980, #2,296 in 2000, #1,461 in 2010, and #616 in 2025. Of the 4,576 US boys named Yahya since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,747 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Westley, Jakari, Hassan, Kyro, and Crue.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Yahya ranked highest in Minnesota, Illinois, and Michigan.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Yahya is usually pronounced YAH-yuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with Y and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Yahya
A few middle names that flow with Yahya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Yahya
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Lists that include Yahya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Yahya mean?
Yahya is an Arabic and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “Arabic form of John”.
What is the origin of the name Yahya?
Yahya has Arabic and Hebrew roots. Yahya is the Arabic form of John and the name of the prophet known in English as John the Baptist, who is honored in the Quran as a righteous prophet and the son of Zechariah.
Is Yahya a popular name?
Yes. Yahya ranked #616 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Yahya a boy or girl name?
Yahya is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Yahya?
Yahya is usually pronounced YAH-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