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Catalaya
Catalaya Pronunciation
Catalaya is pronounced kat-ə-LAY-ə /ˌkæt.əˈleɪ.ə/High
Meaning: Variant of Cataleya, from Cattleya, the orchid genus named for English horticulturist William CattleyHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Catalaya is a spelling variant of Cataleya, drawn from Cattleya, the showy tropical orchid genus that botanist John Lindley named in the 1820s for collector William Cattley. The cattleya is Colombia's national flower, which is why the film Colombiana (2011) chose it — and the heroine Cataleya Restrepo — launching the name's real-world career.
The name spread fastest in Latino communities and remains young and rare in all spellings, with Cataleya leading and Catalaya, Kataleya, and Catalia trailing. Few names can date their birth to a single film release this precisely.
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Frequently Asked
How do you pronounce Catalaya?
Catalaya is pronounced kat-ə-LAY-ə (/ˌkæt.əˈleɪ.ə/). Press play above to hear Catalaya said aloud.
How do you say Catalaya?
Catalaya is said kat-ə-LAY-ə (/ˌkæt.əˈleɪ.ə/). Press play above to hear Catalaya said aloud.
What does the name Catalaya mean?
Catalaya is a variant of Cataleya, from the cattleya orchid — a flower genus named for horticulturist William Cattley.
Is Catalaya a boy or girl name?
Catalaya is a girl's name.
How popular is Catalaya?
Catalaya is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Cataleya is the more common form of this young flower name.