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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ayesha

Ayesha

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-EE-shah /ɑːˈiː.ʃə/Low

Meaning: Alive, living, well-prosperingLow

In 30 seconds: Ayesha is a beloved Arabic name meaning alive or living, most famously borne by Aisha bint Abi Bakr, the youngest wife of the Prophet Muhammad and one of the most influential women in Islamic history.
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Origin LowArabic
MeaningAlive, living, well-prospering
U.S. rank (2025)#1396 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births156 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,694

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201619502025

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

Ayesha derives from the Arabic root asha meaning to live or be alive. The name is inseparably linked to Aisha bint Abi Bakr, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad known as the Mother of the Believers. Her scholarship and leadership made the name one of the most respected in Islam.

Ayesha is one of the most popular names in the Muslim world, used across the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and wherever Muslim communities exist. The spelling Ayesha is common in South Asian contexts, while Aisha is the standard Arabic form.

Did you know? Aisha bint Abi Bakr became one of the most important scholars of early Islam after Muhammad's death, transmitting thousands of hadiths (sayings of the Prophet) and teaching both men and women — a remarkable achievement in 7th-century Arabia.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Aisha

Variations

AishaAyshaAieshaAesha

Nicknames

AyeAish

Famous Bearers

  • ★Aisha bint Abi Bakr (c. 614-678)
    Wife of the Prophet Muhammad, scholar and narrator of hadith, honored as a Mother of the Believers in Islam
  • ★Ayesha Curry (b. 1989)
    Canadian-American restaurateur, cookbook author and TV personality who hosted Ayesha's Home Kitchen

If you like Ayesha…

Aisha— Standard Arabic spelling of same name
Fatima— Fellow most-beloved name in Islam
Khadijah— Another of Muhammad's wives, equally revered
Zainab— Name of Muhammad's daughter and companions

Explore names like Ayesha

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Frequently Asked

What does Ayesha mean?

Ayesha means alive, living, or well-prospering in Arabic, from the root asha meaning to live.

Who was Ayesha in Islamic history?

Aisha bint Abi Bakr was the wife of the Prophet Muhammad and one of Islam's greatest scholars, transmitting thousands of hadiths.

How do you pronounce Ayesha?

Ayesha is pronounced ah-EE-shah with three syllables.

What are nicknames for Ayesha?

Nicknames include Aye and Aish.

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