Home › Baby Names Directory › Elaia

Elaia

♀ Girl

Pronounced EHL-aya /ˈɛl.eɪæ/Medium

Meaning: swallow (bird)Medium

In 30 seconds: Elaia is a Basque name meaning 'swallow', the bird.

💕 Browse more names

Origin MediumBasque

Meaningswallow (bird)

U.S. rank (2025)#2910 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births58 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 309

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

Elaia comes from Basque, where it names the swallow, the swift migratory bird. It belongs to the tradition of Basque nature names rooted in the region's own language. The bird imagery lends it a light, free quality.

The name's run of soft vowels gives it a gentle, flowing sound distinctive to Basque. As a nature name, it joins other Basque choices drawn from the natural world.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Elaia is 'swallow (bird)', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.

Overall data confidence 70%

Behind the Name - Elaia — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

—

Nicknames

—

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Elaia…

Maite— A Basque girls' name from the region's own language, like Elaia.

Naia— shares Elaia's Basque roots

Xavia— a similarly popular pick

Amaia— shares Elaia's Basque roots

Alaia— another Basque name

Explore names like Elaia

By themenature basque

By meaningBird

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Elaia mean?

Elaia is usually explained as meaning 'swallow (bird)' and is most often linked with Basque tradition.

How do you pronounce Elaia?

It's commonly said EHL-aya /ˈɛl.eɪæ/.

Is Elaia a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Elaia is used as a girl name.

How popular is Elaia?

In 2024, Elaia ranked #2692 in the U.S. for girls, with 64 births recorded.