Yahya
“Alive, living” — Associated with life and vitality
Arabic origin · Unisex name
#773US 2023
1.4kBirths / yr
→Stable
3kAll-time births
📅 Since 201100
How to pronounce Yahya
YUHY·uh
/ˈjəj.ə/ · stress on YUHY · 2 syllables
“Alive, living”
Associated with life and vitality · Arabic origin
What does Yahya mean and where does it come from?
The name Yahya (يحيى) is predominantly used in Arabic-speaking countries and is the Arabic form of John. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is recognized as a prophet, which adds significant cultural and religious value to the name. It is often associated with life and vitality. The name has biblical conn
Cultural significance
Yahya has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Arabic-speaking communities, where it reflects values of alive, living.
Peak popularity
Reached #15225 in 2011 — currently #773 in the US.
What middle names flow best with Yahya?
Yahya works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Yahya Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Yahya Rose
Floral · soft ending
Yahya Mae
Sweet · timeless
Yahya Claire
French influence · crisp
Yahya Jane
Literary · strong
Yahya Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Yahya right now?
Holding steady — currently #773 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
The story of Yahya
Yahya is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 2011. With 3,043 total births recorded, Yahya remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #783 in 2021 to #773 in 2023. Yahya is used for both genders: 0% female and 100% male.
Names that peaked alongside Yahya in 2011:
Yahya by decade
Yahya peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18 | |
| 1980s | 96 | |
| 1990s | 181 | |
| 2000s | 700 | |
| 2010s ★ | 1,839 | |
| 2020s | 209 |
With 3,043 total births, Yahya is an uncommon but established name.
What are good nicknames for Yahya?
ARMENIAN
HovikHovo
BRETON
YanickYannicYannick
BULGARIAN
IvoYanko
CROATIAN
IvicaIvoJankoVanja
Famous people named Yahya
Y(
Yahya (historical Arab ruler)
Yahya held this name across the Umayyad or Abbasid Caliphates, spreading its use widely.
Y(
Yahya (Arab poet)
Yahya carried this name in the rich tradition of classical Arabic poetry.
Y(
Yahya (Sufi mystic)
Yahya used this name in the tradition of Islamic mysticism and spirituality.
Y(
Yahya (Islamic scholar)
Yahya bore this name in the Golden Age of Islam, when Arabic names carried prestige across the known world.
What names sound and feel like Yahya?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Yahya also consider these
How is Yahya written in other languages?
يحيى
Arabic), یحیى (Persian
Gender variants of Yahya
Lashawn AFRICAN AMERICANTajuana AFRICAN AMERICANJone BASQUEIoanna BIBLICAL GREEKIohanna BIBLICAL LATINJoanna BIBLICALIoana BULGARIANIvana BULGARIANIvanka BULGARIANYana BULGARIANYanka BULGARIANYoana BULGARIANJana CATALANJoana CATALANIvana CROATIANIvanka CROATIANNina CROATIANŽana CROATIANIva CZECHIvana CZECHIvanka CZECHIvka CZECHJana CZECHJanička CZECHJohana CZECHNina CZECHHanna DANISHHanne DANISHJanne DANISHJannicke DANISHJannike DANISHJeanette DANISHJohanna DANISHJohanne DANISHJonna DANISHNina DANISHVanja DANISHHanna DUTCHHanne DUTCHHannie DUTCHJana DUTCHJanine DUTCHJanna DUTCHJanneke DUTCHJantine DUTCHJantje DUTCHJeanette DUTCHJeanine DUTCHJeannette DUTCHJennigje DUTCHJenny DUTCHJohanna DUTCHJohanneke DUTCHNina DUTCHGenette ENGLISHJan ENGLISHJanae ENGLISHJane ENGLISHJaneka ENGLISHJanel ENGLISHJanele ENGLISHJanella ENGLISHJanelle ENGLISHJanene ENGLISHJanessa ENGLISHJanet ENGLISHJanetta ENGLISHJanette ENGLISHJaney ENGLISHJanice ENGLISHJanie ENGLISHJanine ENGLISHJanis ENGLISHJanna ENGLISHJannah ENGLISHJannette ENGLISHJannine ENGLISHJayna ENGLISHJayne ENGLISHJaynie ENGLISHJean ENGLISHJeana ENGLISHJeane ENGLISHJeanette ENGLISHJeanie ENGLISHJeanine ENGLISHJeanna ENGLISHJeanne ENGLISHJeannette ENGLISHJeannie ENGLISHJeannine ENGLISHJeni ENGLISHJenna ENGLISHJenni ENGLISHJennie ENGLISHJenny ENGLISHJessalyn ENGLISHJessi ENGLISHJessie ENGLISHJessye ENGLISHJo ENGLISHJoan ENGLISHJoanie ENGLISHJoann ENGLISHJoanna ENGLISHJoanne ENGLISHJoetta ENGLISHJoey ENGLISHJohanna ENGLISHJohna ENGLISHJohnna ENGLISHJojo ENGLISHJoleen ENGLISHJolene ENGLISHJonelle ENGLISHJonette ENGLISHJoni ENGLISHJonie ENGLISHNena ENGLISHNetta ENGLISHNettie ENGLISHNina ENGLISHSeanna ENGLISHShauna ENGLISHShavonne ENGLISHShawna ENGLISHSheena ENGLISHSheenagh ENGLISHShena ENGLISHShevaun ENGLISHShevon ENGLISHJohanna ESTONIANHanna FINNISHHannele FINNISHJanika FINNISHJanina FINNISHJanna FINNISHJenna FINNISHJenni FINNISHJenny FINNISHJohanna FINNISHJonna FINNISHNina FINNISHJanine FRENCHJeanette FRENCHJeanine FRENCHJeanne FRENCHJeannette FRENCHJeannine FRENCHJoanne FRENCHJohanne FRENCHNina FRENCHNinette FRENCHXoana GALICIANHanna GERMANHanne GERMANJana GERMANJanina GERMANJanine GERMANJenny GERMANJohanna GERMANNina GERMANGianna GREEKIoanna GREEKNana GREEKYanna GREEKHanna HUNGARIANJohanna HUNGARIANZsanett HUNGARIANJenný ICELANDICJóhanna ICELANDICJóna ICELANDICChevonne IRISHShavonne IRISHShevaun IRISHShevon IRISHSíne IRISHSinéad IRISHSiobhán IRISHGia ITALIANGianna ITALIANGiannina ITALIANGiovanna ITALIANGiovannetta ITALIANNina ITALIANVanna ITALIANJohanna LATE ROMANJanina LITHUANIANIvana MACEDONIANJovana MACEDONIANJovanka MACEDONIANJovka MACEDONIANVana MACEDONIANJehanne MEDIEVAL FRENCHJohanne MEDIEVAL FRENCHHanna NORWEGIANHanne NORWEGIANJanne NORWEGIANJannicke NORWEGIANJannike NORWEGIANJeanette NORWEGIANJohanna NORWEGIANJohanne NORWEGIANNina NORWEGIANVanja NORWEGIANAsia POLISHJanina POLISHJoanna POLISHJoasia POLISHNina POLISHJoana PORTUGUESEJoaninha PORTUGUESEIoana ROMANIANIonela ROMANIANOana ROMANIANIvanna RUSSIANYana RUSSIANZhanna RUSSIANZhannochka RUSSIANGiuanna SARDINIANJean SCOTTISHJessie SCOTTISHSeona SCOTTISHSeonag SCOTTISHSeònaid SCOTTISHSheena SCOTTISHSheona SCOTTISHShona SCOTTISHSìne SCOTTISHSìneag SCOTTISHTeasag SCOTTISHIvana SERBIANIvanka SERBIANJovana SERBIANJovanka SERBIANNina SERBIANIva SLOVAKIvana SLOVAKIvanka SLOVAKIvka SLOVAKJana SLOVAKJanka SLOVAKNina SLOVAKIva SLOVENEIvana SLOVENEIvanka SLOVENEJana SLOVENENina SLOVENEŽana SLOVENEJenny SPANISHJuana SPANISHJuanita SPANISHHanna SWEDISHJanina SWEDISHJanna SWEDISHJannicke SWEDISHJannike SWEDISHJeanette SWEDISHJennie SWEDISHJenny SWEDISHJohanna SWEDISHJonna SWEDISHNina SWEDISHVanja SWEDISHYana UKRAINIANShan WELSHSiân WELSHSiana WELSHSiani WELSHSioned WELSHSiwan WELSHJackson ENGLISHJaxon ENGLISHJaxson ENGLISHMalone ENGLISHSinjin ENGLISHYancy ENGLISHYahweh THEOLOGYBevan WELSH
Common questions about the name Yahya
What does the name Yahya mean?
Yahya means "Alive, living" — a name rooted in Arabic tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Yahya?
Yahya is currently ranked #773 as a baby name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.
What is the cultural origin of Yahya?
Yahya originates from Arabic tradition. Arabic names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Yahya?
Yahya is a two-syllable name pronounced Y AH1 Y AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Yahya more of a girl or boy name?
Yahya is a genuinely unisex name used for both boys and girls. The unisex quality makes it particularly versatile for modern families.
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