Is Kaya a boy's or girl's name?

Kaya is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 647 recorded births.

When was Kaya most popular?

Kaya reached its peak popularity in 2004 with 528 births that year. It is currently ranked #966 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Kaya?

Kaya is currently ranked #966 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 10,106 babies since 1968.

Kaya

A familiar Turkish name with steady appeal.

Girl's name| Also boysTurkishRising fast Also a pet name

#966▲ 58in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A city in Burkina Faso.

Kaya is a girl's and boy's baby name of Turkish origin, from the Turkish meaning "rock" or "cliff," symbolizing strength, permanence, and an unshakeable foundation. It is also used in Japanese (meaning "yew tree") and as a Hopi Native American name meaning "older sister."

Kaya has a beautiful cross-cultural universality — equally at home in Turkey, Japan, indigenous America, and Germany. Its two-syllable simplicity and strong natural imagery have made it a quietly popular choice across many communities in the United States.

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Popularity Over Time

Kaya was #541 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #966, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Kaya
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	1,259	#1014	▼
2010s	3,103	#882	▼
2000s	4,473	#630	▲
1990s	975	#1832	▲
1980s	191	#4618	▲
1970s	93	#6244	▲
1960s	12	#6800	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(56 years, 1968–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Kaya
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	268	#966	+21 (8.5%)
2023	247	#1024	-7 (-2.8%)
2022	254	#1019	0
2021	254	#1007	+18 (7.6%)
2020	236	#1055	-32 (-11.9%)
2019	268	#973	+15 (5.9%)
2018	253	#1024	-29 (-10.3%)
2017	282	#937	0
2016	282	#962	-44 (-13.5%)
2015	326	#860	+62 (23.5%)
2014	264	#1000	-93 (-26.1%)
2013	357	#761	+26 (7.9%)
2012	331	#810	-52 (-13.6%)
2011	383	#723	+26 (7.3%)
2010	357	#767	-69 (-16.2%)
2009	426	#685	-54 (-11.3%)
2008	480	#641	+52 (12.1%)
2007	428	#684	-19 (-4.3%)
2006	447	#645	+12 (2.8%)
2005	435	#642	-93 (-17.6%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Kaya as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Kaya has also been given to 647 boys in the U.S. since 1975.

#5323

Current rank

647

Total births

2001

Peak year

Compare Kaya as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Kaya be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Kaya is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #966. As a boy's name, it ranks #5323.

Kaya has two lives

Kaya, the baby name

#966girls

10,106 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1968–2024) · Methodology