Find out how popular the first name Ayala has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Ayala by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Ayala is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 74 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Ayala.

The history of the first name Ayala

The name Ayala is a Hebrew name that originated in ancient Israel. It is derived from the Hebrew word "ayyal," which means "deer" or "gazelle." The name was originally a descriptive term used to refer to someone who was graceful, agile, or fleet-footed like a deer.

In the Bible, the name Ayala is mentioned in the Book of Proverbs, where it is used as a metaphor for a virtuous and beautiful woman. The verse reads, "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones" (Proverbs 12:4). This biblical reference suggests that the name Ayala has been in use since ancient times.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ayala comes from the 11th century, when a Jewish woman named Ayala lived in Spain during the Golden Age of Jewish culture in that country. She was known for her poetry and her contributions to the literary and intellectual life of the time.

In the 13th century, a famous Jewish philosopher and theologian named Ayala al-Mawsiliyya lived in Mosul, Iraq. She was known for her writings on ethics and her commentaries on the works of Aristotle and other philosophers.

During the Middle Ages, the name Ayala was also used by Christians in some parts of Europe, particularly in Spain and Portugal. One notable example is Ayala de Meneses, a Portuguese noblewoman who lived in the 15th century and was known for her patronage of the arts and her support for the Portuguese exploration of the world.

In more recent times, the name Ayala has been used by several notable individuals, including the Mexican writer and activist Rosario Castellanos (1925-1974), who wrote under the pen name Ayala Cuadro, and the Venezuelan-American artist Margarita Ayala (1937-2016), who was known for her abstract expressionist paintings.

Other notable individuals with the name Ayala include the American actress and singer Ayala Pines (1922-2005), the Israeli writer and poet Ayala Zak-Manger (1915-2004), and the Mexican actress and singer Ayala Muniz (1935-2019).

Overall, the name Ayala has a rich and varied history that spans many cultures and time periods. Its origins in Hebrew and its biblical references suggest that it has been in use for thousands of years, and it has been carried by many notable individuals throughout history.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Ayala was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ayala, please contact us.

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