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Alaia

Girl name · 57 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Alaia: 57 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 2021.

Alaia is a name with two distinct and beautiful roots. Primarily, it is of Basque origin, meaning "joyful" or "happy," from the word *alai*. It also appears as a variant of the Arabic name Aliyah, meaning "sublime" or "exalted," though the Basque connection is most common in English-speaking contexts. While no notably famous historical bearers spring to mind, the name has gained modern visibility through fashion designer Alaïa, though that spelling is French-Tunisian. There is no major place directly named Alaia, though it shares its joyful root with the Alayí mountain range in Spain. In Scotland, the name has seen a quiet rise in popularity since the 2000s, likely drawn by its melodic sound and uplifting meaning, offering a fresh alternative to the more established Aaliyah.