Mahayla
A feminine name with uncertain origins, possibly a variant of Maya.
Name Census estimates that about 901 living Americans carry the first name Mahayla. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mahayla today is around 17 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mahayla births was 2010 (57 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mahayla. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
901
~ 1 in 380,415 Americans
Peak year
2010
57 babies that year
Average age
17
years old
2024 SSA rank
#6,284
Tracked since 1994
Popularity
Mahayla: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mahayla from the 1990s through to the 2020s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 383 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mahayla by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mahayla during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mahaylas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio recorded the most babies named Mahayla, while Washington, Florida, California recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 12 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mahayla
The name Mahayla is a relatively modern invention, with its origins shrouded in mystery. While its exact roots are unknown, it is believed to be a combination of elements from various languages and cultures.
One possible theory suggests that Mahayla is a blend of the Hebrew name Mahala, meaning "tender" or "delicate," and the Arabic name Layla, meaning "night" or "dark beauty." This fusion of Hebrew and Arabic elements could symbolize a harmonious union of cultures and traditions.
Another speculation is that Mahayla derives from the Sanskrit word "maha," meaning "great" or "mighty," and the Gaelic "yla," implying "from the island." This interpretation could signify a name with strong, powerful roots originating from distant lands.
While there are no definitive historical records or ancient texts mentioning the name Mahayla, it has gained popularity in recent decades as a unique and melodic choice for parents seeking a distinctive moniker for their child.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mahayla can be traced back to Mahayla Laureano, a Dominican-American actress born in 1982. She gained recognition for her roles in television series such as "The Sopranos" and "Boardwalk Empire."
Another notable figure bearing the name is Mahayla Dickerson, an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. Born in 1990, she founded her own clothing line, showcasing her innovative designs and stylish aesthetic.
In the world of sports, Mahayla Howell, an American track and field athlete born in 1995, made a name for herself as a talented sprinter, winning multiple national championships.
The literary world has also seen its share of Mahaylas, with Mahayla Somerville, a Canadian author born in 1988, gaining critical acclaim for her poetic works exploring themes of identity and self-discovery.
Lastly, Mahayla Rivera, a Mexican-American artist born in 1983, has made waves in the contemporary art scene with her thought-provoking installations and sculptures, challenging societal norms and exploring complex narratives.
While the name Mahayla may be relatively new, it has already left its mark across various fields, embodying a sense of strength, beauty, and uniqueness that has captivated many.
People
Mahayla + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mahayla as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mahayla: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mahayla?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 901 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mahayla going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 380,415 US residents.
Is Mahayla a common name?
We classify Mahayla as "Very Rare". It ranks above 89.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 912 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mahayla most popular?
The single biggest year for Mahayla was 2010, when 57 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mahayla is about 17 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mahayla a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mahayla in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.