Araya

♀ Girl

Pronounced uh-RAY-uh /əˈreɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Lioness (Hebrew ari, lion + feminine -aya suffix); also a Thai name meaning beautiful forest or nobleMedium

In 30 seconds: A name with possible Hebrew roots (lioness, from ari) and Thai use (meaning noble or beautiful forest). Its three-syllable open sound fits comfortably in the Aria/Ariah/Araya naming cluster.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Arabic, Thai

MeaningLioness (Hebrew ari, lion + feminine -aya suffix); also a Thai name meaning beautiful forest or noble

U.S. rank (2024)#1075 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births230 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2022

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,949

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Araya has multiple possible origins. In Hebrew it may derive from ari (lion) with a feminine suffix. In Thai, Araya means 'noble' or 'gentle forest.' As an American given name it likely functions as a creative variant of Aria or Ariah.

Araya appeared in U.S. girls' birth data in the 2010s and ranked #1075 for girls in 2024.

Did you know? Tom Araya, the bassist and vocalist of the heavy metal band Slayer, bears this as his surname — a famous bearer who might surprise parents who associate Araya only with gentle feminine sounds.

Overall data confidence 68%

U.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AraiahAraiaAriyah

Nicknames

AraRayRaya

Famous Bearers

★Araya A. Hargate (1981-)
Thai-British actress, model and television host

If you like Araya…

Aria— the shorter form sharing Araya's first syllable and open vowel ending

Ariah— Hebrew -iah variant of the same Ar- root

Ariana— four-syllable Ar- name with the same vowel-rich flow

Maya— three-syllable vowel-open name with the same airy quality

Raya— two-syllable name sharing the -raya sound

Explore names like Araya

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Araya mean?

Araya has possible Hebrew roots (lioness, from ari) and Thai use (noble or gentle forest). Its exact etymology is uncertain.

How do you pronounce Araya?

It's said uh-RAY-uh — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Araya a boy or girl name?

Araya is used as a girls' name.

How popular is Araya?

Araya ranked #1075 for U.S. girls in 2024.