Yahya
First Name Meaning, Usage, Popularity & Related Names
Yahya is an Arabic name meaning “he lives”. It is a common name, overwhelmingly used for boys, with 99.98% male usage.
Meaning & Origin of the name Yahya
Yahya is an Arabic name derived from the root h-y-y, which signifies the concept of life or living. It is the Quranic equivalent of the name John, which originates from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning God is gracious. In Islamic tradition, Yahya is a prominent figure regarded as a prophet who attained wisdom during his youth. The name serves as a core identifier within Islamic communities, reflecting the theological emphasis on divine grace and the vitality of the spirit.
Meaning Comments
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Gender Usage of the Name Yahya
Overall Gender Classification Methodology
Yahya is overwhelmingly used as a name for boys. Approximately 99.98% of recorded bearers are male. This classification is supported by extensive records and is considered highly reliable.
Popularity of the Name Yahya
Yahya is among the Top 36 Trending Boys’ name Worldwide for 2026
Yahya is among the Top 48 Trending Boys’ name in the United Kingdom for 2026
Yahya is among the Top 51 Trending Boys’ name in Canada for 2025
Note: Green bars show popularity (% of births); the violet line shows historical ranking. Data is based on official government birth records. Click any chart to view details by year and region.
Overall PopularityMethodology
Yahya is listed under Common Boy Names worldwide. Its popularity is relatively consistent across the available regional markets.
| Region | Popularity | Birth Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Common | 1 in every 19K births |
| United Kingdom | Popular | 1 in every 2.2K births |
| Canada | Popular | 1 in every 4.2K births |
| Australia | Common | 1 in every 109K births |
Ranking OverviewMethodology
Yahya ranked #171 on the Popular Boys’ Names Worldwide List (2025). It rose from #384 in 2024 — an improvement of 213 places. Yahya maintains a steady presence among commonly used names.
Historically, its best recorded position was #171 in 2025. Its lowest recorded position was #4,160 in 1980. Over the last 5 years (2020–2025) the name rose 211 places (from #382 to #171).
Characteristics of the Name Yahya
Pronunciation & StructureMethodology
- Phonetic Source
- CMU
- Syllables
- 2 syllables — Two-Syllable Boy Names
- Length
- 5 letters — Medium-Length Boy Names
- Starts with
- Y — Boy Names Starting with Y
- Ends with
- a — Boy Names Ending in “a”
Name AestheticMethodology
Yahya consists of two syllables with a symmetrical repetition of sounds and stress on the first syllable. It is historically identified with John the Baptist, a figure of great religious significance. The name reflects a Mystical & Ancient aesthetic through its association with this venerable prophet.
Middle Names For Yahya
Middle names used with YahyaMethodology
Yahya is most frequently used with these boy middle names: Yahya Ali · Yahya Bilal · Yahya Abdullah · Yahya Muhammed · Yahya HatimView all 9 boy middle names.
Middle name suggestions for YahyaMethodology
Based on observed first-middle-name pattern combinations, Yahya is most frequently associated with boy middle names that have 2 syllables, Strong–Weak stress pattern, 6 letters, and a starting sound of “d”.
Examples: Yahya Daniel · Yahya Donald · Yahya Dennis · Yahya Dillon · Yahya Dallas. View all 271 suggested middle names.
Names Similar to Yahya
Sound Like Yahya Finder
Names with the exact same overall pronunciation and sound: Yahye · Yahyaa · Yehya · View all 9 names
Spelled Like Yahya Finder
Names with similar spelling patterns and letter sequences: Yahyaa · Yahyah · Yahhya · View all 7 names
Same Starting Sound Finder
Names that begin with a similar phonetic sound: Eugene · Yusuf · Ewan · View all Top 100 names
Rhymes With Yahya Finder
Names that share similar ending sounds and rhymes: Joshua · Noah · Elijah · View all Top 100 names
Same Rhythm & Syllables Finder
Names with matching syllable stress and pronunciation rhythm: Robert · Michael · William · View all Top 100 names
Dictionary & Etymology of “Yahya”
Dictionary Meaning of "Yahya"Methodology
A male given name from Arabic
A surname from Arabic
More Info
How to Spell Yahya in ASL
- Y
- a
- h
- y
- a
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