Ayla

Updated: July 19, 2021 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Ayla has been a moderately popular name since the late 1980s, but over the last few years, it's been flying up the charts. That trend will likely continue. It's a nice alternative to overused names like Ava and Kayla, and, while it doesn't have a definite origin, each of the potential options offers up pleasant symbolic images. Best of all, the most famous person named Ayla isn't a real person but a beloved heroine and literary character.

Meaning of the name Ayla:

Turkish: halo of light around the moon, moonlight
Hebrew: oak tree

Origin of the name Ayla:

The exact origin of Ayla is often debated. Some believe it is derived from the Hebrew word for “oak tree.” Others believe it came from the Turkish word, which means “moonlight” or the “halo of light around the moon.”

Symbolism of the name Ayla:

Those who believe Ayla has Hebrew roots may see the name as a symbol of the strength of the oak tree. Those who believe it has Turkish roots may see it as a name that symbolizes light or something celestial.

Style of the name Ayla:

Modern

Gender of the name Ayla:

Ayla is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Ayla:

AAY-la or EYE-la

Number of syllables in the name Ayla:

Two

Emotion evoked from the name Ayla:

The baby name Ayla evokes images of nature and freedom.

Alternative spellings for the name Ayla:

Aila
Aela
Ayla

Nicknames for the name Ayla:

Lala

Popularity of the name Ayla:

Ayla first made the list of the top 1,000 baby names in the United States in 1987, according to the Social Security Administration. In 2020, it ranked at number 131.