Yahya

A familiar Arabic name with steady appeal.

Boy's name| Also girlsArabicRising fast
#706 175in 2024

Meaning & Origin

a prophet of Islam.

Yahya is a boy's and girl's baby name of Arabic origin, the Arabic form of John — from the Hebrew Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In Islam, Yahya is the name of the prophet known in Christianity as John the Baptist, and he is deeply revered as a messenger of God. He is mentioned by name in the Quran multiple times.

Yahya is the Arabic form of one of the most universally honored prophetic names. For Muslim families, choosing Yahya is an act of faith and devotion to a prophet who prepared the way and lived with extraordinary ascetic purity. It's one of the most meaningful names in Islamic tradition.

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Popularity Over Time

Yahya climbed 1454 spots in the last 20 years — from #2160 to #706.

095189284378198020002024

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Yahya
DecadeBirthsTrend
2020s1,291
2010s1,834
2000s700
1990s181
1980s95
1970s18

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(48 years, 19722024)
Year-by-year popularity data for the name Yahya
YearBirthsRank
2024378#706
2023265#881
2022243#941
2021195#1087
2020210#1006
2019226#951
2018202#1022
2017230#922
2016224#938
2015211#981
2014167#1142
2013173#1083
2012158#1160
2011130#1317
2010113#1461
2009133#1312
200894#1654
200790#1698
200680#1757
200567#1921

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

Yahya as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Yahya has also been given to 6 girls in the U.S. since 2011.

Unranked
Current rank
6
Total births
2011
Peak year
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Frequently Asked

Can Yahya be used for both boys and girls?
Yes, Yahya is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #706. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (19722024) · Methodology