Find out how popular the last name Ayla is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ayla.

Ayla, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ayla surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Ayla in America

Ayla is the 89753rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ayla surname appeared 206 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ayla.

We can also compare 2010 data for Ayla to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Ayla

The surname Ayla is of Turkish origin, tracing its roots back to the ancient Anatolian region of modern-day Turkey. It is believed to have derived from the old Turkic word "ayla," meaning "moon" or "halo," reflecting the celestial significance attached to this name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Ayla can be found in the "Divan-ı Lügat-it Türk," a comprehensive dictionary of Turkic dialects compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari in the 11th century. This seminal work showcased the diversity of Turkic languages and highlighted the cultural richness of the region.

During the Ottoman Empire, the name Ayla gained popularity among the ruling elite and aristocracy. Notable figures bearing this surname include Ayla Pasha, a prominent military commander who served under Sultan Mehmed II in the 15th century, renowned for his strategic prowess during the conquest of Constantinople.

In the realm of literature, Ayla İzgören (1914-1995) stands out as a celebrated Turkish author and poet. Her works, which often explored themes of love, nature, and the human condition, garnered critical acclaim and contributed significantly to the country's literary landscape.

The name Ayla also found its way into the annals of history through Ayla Dikmen (1932-2017), a pioneering Turkish archaeologist renowned for her groundbreaking excavations and discoveries in Anatolia. Her contributions to the preservation and understanding of Turkey's rich cultural heritage have left an indelible mark.

Another notable figure bearing the surname Ayla is Ayla Toparlak (born 1937), a renowned Turkish film actress who rose to prominence during the golden age of Turkish cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. Her captivating performances in numerous iconic films have cemented her status as a cultural icon.

Across the globe, the name Ayla has been carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds, each leaving their mark on history. One such figure is Ayla Bağrıaçık (1942-2020), a Turkish-American physicist who made significant contributions to the field of particle physics, particularly in the study of quarks and their interactions.

While the surname Ayla has its roots in Turkey, it has transcended geographical boundaries and can be found in various cultures and communities worldwide, resonating with the universal appeal of celestial symbolism and the enduring legacy of those who have borne this name throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ayla

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ayla.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ayla was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Ayla has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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