Ayaan
Boy name · 275 babies recorded · 1974–2025
Ayaan: 275 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 23 births in 2011.
Originating from Sanskrit, Ayaan means “journey” or “path”, while in Somali it carries the meaning of “good luck” or “fate”. The name is perhaps best known through Ayaan Hirsi Ali, the Somali-born Dutch-American activist, author, and former politician who has been a prominent voice on women’s rights and criticism of religious extremism. No major places share its root, but Ayaan has become widely popular in recent decades across many cultures, particularly among Muslim families in Scotland and beyond. A common variant is Ayan, though the double ‘a’ spelling remains the most familiar.
Boy 22 of 52 years
- Peak year
- 201123 babies
- Latest (2025)
- #19821 babies
- Total births
- 275since 2004
- 5-year trend
- ▼ 19%vs prior 5y