Zaya is a unique and captivating name of African origin, specifically from the West African country of Ghana. It is derived from the Akan people's naming tradition, which often assigns names based on the day of the week on which a child is born.
The name Zaya is associated with the seventh day of the week in the Akan calendar. In the Ghanaian culture, each day has its own significance and corresponding names. Zaya is linked to "Kwasidaye," which is the seventh day of the week and means "Thursday" in English.
Historically, the practice of naming children after their birthdays was prevalent among the Akan people as a way of preserving cultural heritage and traditions. It also served as a means of distinguishing individuals based on their personal characteristics associated with specific days of the week.
In modern times, Zaya has transcended its traditional African roots and gained popularity worldwide as a distinctive name choice for parents seeking unique names for their children. Despite its widespread usage, it remains deeply rooted in Ghanaian culture and continues to be celebrated as an Akan name.
The name Zaya has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past two decades in the United States. In 1994, there were only 5 babies named Zaya, but by 2023, that number had grown to 207 births.
The trend of increasing popularity began around the year 2000, with a steady rise from 20 births in that year to 26 births in 2008. The years 2012 and 2013 marked a significant turning point, with 118 and 135 births respectively, indicating that the name was starting to gain wider acceptance.
Since then, the popularity of the name Zaya has continued to grow, reaching an all-time high of 207 births in 2023. Overall, from 1994 to 2023, there have been a total of 2201 babies named Zaya born in the United States.
This steady increase in popularity over time suggests that the name Zaya has become more appealing to parents as a unique and distinctive choice for their children. It's always fascinating to observe how naming trends evolve throughout the years.