Walia first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Walia has been for the last 1 years (from 1980 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Walia

An Ethiopian feminine name meaning "to journey" or "to explore".

Popularity of Walia by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Walia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Walia.

Year Male Count Female Count
1980 0 5

The history of the first name Walia

The name Walia has its origins in the ancient Semitic language of Ge'ez, which was spoken in parts of modern-day Eritrea and Ethiopia. It is believed to have emerged sometime around the 4th century AD, when the Aksumite Empire was at its peak. The name is derived from the Ge'ez word "walya," which means "to be born" or "to give birth."

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Walia can be found in the Kebra Negast, an ancient text that chronicles the lineage of the Ethiopian monarchy. In this text, Walia is mentioned as the name of a prince who later became the king of Aksum in the late 6th century AD.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Walia. One of the most famous was Walia ibn Hubab (c. 594 - c. 631 AD), a prominent Arab military leader and companion of the Prophet Muhammad. He played a significant role in the early Muslim conquests and is revered in Islamic tradition.

Another historical figure with the name Walia was Walia Ib'n al-Mughaira (c. 640 - c. 714 AD), a renowned Arab poet and scholar from the Umayyad era. He was celebrated for his mastery of the Arabic language and his contributions to literature.

In more recent times, Walia Ibsatu (1892 - 1980) was an Ethiopian politician and diplomat who served as the country's Minister of Foreign Affairs during the reign of Emperor Haile Selassie.

Additionally, Walia Delil (born c. 1930) was an Eritrean freedom fighter who played a pivotal role in the struggle for independence from Ethiopia. He was a prominent figure in the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) and is regarded as a national hero in Eritrea.

The name Walia has also been associated with various places and geographical features in the Horn of Africa region, reflecting its cultural significance. For example, the Walia Ibex, a species of wild goat, is named after the Walia region in northern Ethiopia, where it is found.

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 Walia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Walia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on July 16, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/walia-meaning-and-history/.

"Walia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/walia-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 16 July, 2025

Walia first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/walia-meaning-and-history/.

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