Alayna
Alayna is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Handsome, cheerful, or shining light.
Origin and history
Alayna is a modern English variant of Alana or Elaine, influenced by the Gaelic name roots for 'handsome' or 'cheerful', as well as the French variant of Helen. It emerged in popular usage in the United States during the late 20th century as a melodic alternative to traditional spellings. Today, it enjoys steady popularity as a soft, contemporary feminine name.
Popularity in the United States
35,589 babies in the United States have been named Alayna since 1880. It ranks #734 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #295.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9.8 %)
- CA (6.8 %)
- OH (6.4 %)
- MI (5.5 %)
- PA (5.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 0 |
| 1920-1930 | 0 |
| 1930-1940 | 0 |
| 1940-1950 | 5 |
| 1950-1960 | 11 |
| 1960-1970 | 105 |
| 1970-1980 | 245 |
| 1980-1990 | 928 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,278 |
| 2000-2010 | 10,110 |
| 2010-2019 | 14,452 |
| 2020-2029 | 6,455 |
Nicknames
Layna, Ally, Laney
Fun facts
- Alayna developed as a phonetic spelling variation of Alana and the French Elaine.
- The name gained significant traction in the United States starting in the late 1980s and 1990s.