Chaya

♀ Girl

Pronounced KHAH-yah /ˈxɑː.jə/High

Meaning: Hebrew feminine name from chayah meaning 'life' or 'to live,' the feminine form of Chai; directly related to the Hebrew word for life, chayyimHigh

In 30 seconds: Chaya means 'life' in Hebrew — the feminine form of the toast l'chaim. A deeply meaningful name in Jewish tradition, it is warm, ancient, and quietly rising outside the community.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningHebrew feminine name from chayah meaning 'life' or 'to live,' the feminine form of Chai; directly related to the Hebrew word for life, chayyim

U.S. rank (2025)#588 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births499 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 15,669

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Chaya is the feminine Hebrew form of Chai, from the root chayah meaning 'to live' or 'life.' It is one of the most meaningful names in the Jewish tradition, as chai (life) holds special significance — the Hebrew letters chet and yod, which spell chai, have a numerical value of 18, considered a lucky number in Jewish culture.

Chaya has been used in Ashkenazi Jewish communities for centuries, often given in memory of a deceased relative as part of the Jewish naming tradition. It has gradually crossed into broader American awareness in recent decades, appreciated for its deep meaning and its connection to the universal concept of life.

Did you know? Chaya shares its root with the famous Jewish toast l'chaim ('to life!') — the same root that gives us the word chayyim — meaning that when you raise a glass and say l'chaim, you are invoking the very meaning of this name.

Overall data confidence 96%

Behind the Name — Chaya — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

ChaiaHayaHaia

Nicknames

Chai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Chaya…

Zara— short Hebrew-rooted girls' name with the same ancient depth and cross-cultural appeal

Nava— Hebrew girls' name meaning 'beautiful' with the same Semitic warmth and brevity

Maya— similar two-syllable Hebrew-rooted name with the same lyrical simplicity

Ayla— two-syllable Hebrew-origin name with a similar open, flowing sound

Frequently Asked

What does the name Chaya mean?

Chaya means 'life' in Hebrew, from the root chayah meaning 'to live.' It is the feminine form of Chai and shares its root with the toast l'chaim.

How do you pronounce Chaya?

It is said KHAH-yah — two syllables, with the initial KH being a guttural sound as in the Scottish 'loch.'

Is Chaya a boy or girl name?

Chaya is exclusively a girls' name; the masculine form is Chai or Chaim.

How popular is Chaya?

Chaya is most common in Orthodox and traditional Jewish communities in the U.S. and has been gently growing in broader use in recent years.