NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Hayah

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "life" or "alive".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Hayah is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hayah popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 14 births.

This profile covers 109 England and Wales registrations across 18 recorded years from 1999 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 109 living people in the UK are called Hayah. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Hayah ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2016, when 14 girls were registered as Hayah.
  • About 109 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hayah as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2016

14 births

Estimated living

109

2026

Meaning

What does Hayah mean?

The name Hayah originates from the Arabic language and has its roots in the Semitic languages of the Middle East. It is derived from the Arabic word "hayat," which means "life" or "to live." The name Hayah is a feminine name that carries the essence of vitality, existence, and the fundamental essence of being alive.

In Arabic culture, names often hold deep symbolic meanings, and Hayah is no exception. It is believed that bestowing a name like Hayah upon a child is a way of imparting blessings and well-wishes for a life filled with vibrancy, energy, and longevity.

Historically, the name Hayah can be traced back to ancient Arabic texts and literature. Although it may not have been explicitly mentioned in religious scriptures, the concept of life and its significance is deeply ingrained in the teachings of Islam and other Abrahamic faiths.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Hayah can be found in the writings of the renowned Arab poet and philosopher, Abu al-Ala al-Ma'arri, who lived from 973 to 1057 CE. In his poetic works, he often explored themes of existence, mortality, and the essence of life.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Hayah. One such individual was Hayah bint al-Husayn (born around 637 CE), a prominent figure in early Islamic history who was known for her piety and wisdom. She was the daughter of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Another prominent figure was Hayah al-Rayyis (born in the late 12th century CE), a female Arab poet and scholar from Damascus. Her poetic works celebrated the beauty of life and nature, and she was highly regarded for her literary talents during her time.

In the modern era, the name Hayah has been carried by several notable individuals, including Hayah Al-Maliki (born 1964), an Iraqi-Canadian artist and educator known for her vibrant and expressive paintings depicting the human experience.

Hayah Bint Al Sayed (born 1990) is a prominent Bahraini entrepreneur and advocate for women's empowerment. She has been recognized for her contributions to promoting sustainable development and gender equality in the Middle East.

These are just a few examples of individuals who have carried the name Hayah throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of cultures and societies in their own unique ways, while embodying the essence of life and vitality associated with this name.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Hayah over time

The chart below shows babies named Hayah registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1999 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Hayah, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 14 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Hayah
0471114199920112024

Decades

Hayah by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hayah was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3102 30 4
2010s #3740 62 9
2000s #4737 14 4
1990s #3900 3 1

Related

Names similar to Hayah

FAQ

Hayah: questions and answers

How popular is the name Hayah in the UK right now?

In 2024, Hayah was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Hayah most popular?

The peak year on record was 2016, with 14 babies registered as Hayah in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Hayah?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "life" or "alive".

How many people are called Hayah in the UK?

A total of 109 babies have been registered as Hayah across the 18 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.