UK girl's name
Hayla
A feminine Arabic name meaning "bright as the moon" or "halo".
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.
Hayla is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Hayla popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4843, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2016, with 4 births.
This profile covers 18 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2013 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 18 living people in the UK are called Hayla. 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
- • Hayla ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2016, when 4 girls were registered as Hayla.
- • About 18 living people in the UK are estimated to have Hayla as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4843
2024
Births in 2024
4
Latest year
Peak year
2016
4 births
Estimated living
18
2026
Meaning
What does Hayla mean?
The name Hayla is believed to have its origins in the Arabic language, with roots tracing back to the Middle Eastern region. It is derived from the Arabic word "haylah," which means "beautiful" or "graceful." This name has been in use since ancient times, with records indicating its presence in various regions of the Middle East and North Africa.
One of the earliest known references to the name Hayla can be found in ancient Arabic poetry and literature. The name is mentioned in several works from the 7th and 8th centuries, often used to describe the beauty and elegance of a woman or a beloved. It is possible that the name gained popularity during this period, as it resonated with the cultural values and aesthetic ideals of the time.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Hayla. One of the earliest recorded examples is Hayla bint al-Hudhayl (born around 590 CE), a renowned Arabic poetess from the pre-Islamic era. Her poetry celebrated the virtues of courage, honor, and loyalty, and she is considered one of the most influential female poets of her time.
Another historical figure who carried the name Hayla was Hayla bint Abi Talib (born around 615 CE), the daughter of Abu Talib and the paternal aunt of the Prophet Muhammad. She is remembered for her unwavering support and loyalty to her nephew, and her acceptance of Islam is seen as a significant event in early Islamic history.
In the 10th century, Hayla al-Muhallabiyya (born around 920 CE) was a prominent female scholar and poet from Baghdad. She was renowned for her expertise in Arabic literature and her contributions to the intellectual circles of the Abbasid Caliphate.
During the late medieval period, Hayla al-Andalusiyya (born around 1140 CE) was a renowned Andalusian poet and scholar from Spain. Her works were highly regarded for their elegance and depth, and she was celebrated for her mastery of various literary forms.
More recently, Hayla Ghazi (born in 1880) was a Syrian poet and writer who played a significant role in the Arab literary renaissance of the early 20th century. Her works explored themes of love, patriotism, and social reform, and she is considered a pioneering figure in modern Arabic literature.
While these are just a few examples, the name Hayla has been carried by many notable individuals throughout history, each contributing to the rich tapestry of cultural and intellectual traditions across the Middle East and beyond.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Hayla over time
The chart below shows babies named Hayla registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2013 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 Hayla, the clearest high point is 2016. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2024, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Hayla by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Hayla 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 | #5015 | 11 | 3 |
| 2010s | #5253 | 7 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Hayla
- Hannah 67,635
- Holly 52,307
- Harriet 24,781
- Hollie 17,902
- Harper 15,784
- Heidi 12,675
- Hallie 9,873
- Hope 9,414
- Hayley 5,968
- Hazel 5,954
- Hanna 5,735
- Heather 5,497
FAQ
Hayla: questions and answers
How popular is the name Hayla in the UK right now?
In 2024, Hayla was ranked #4843 for girls in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Hayla most popular?
The peak year on record was 2016, with 4 babies registered as Hayla in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Hayla?
A feminine Arabic name meaning "bright as the moon" or "halo".
How many people are called Hayla in the UK?
A total of 18 babies have been registered as Hayla across the 5 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.