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Home › Baby Names Directory › Ilayda

Ilayda

♀ Girl

Pronounced ee-LIE-duh /iˈlaɪ.də/Medium

Meaning: Ilayda (Turkish Ilayda/Ilaydanur) is a modern Turkish girl's name widely explained as 'water nymph' or naiad. It rose sharply in Turkey in recent decades; the folk etymology is popular but not deeply documented, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A modern Turkish favourite: Ilayda is widely explained as 'water nymph' (said 'ee-LIE-duh'). The etymology is popular but not deeply documented.
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Origin MediumTurkish
MeaningIlayda (Turkish Ilayda/Ilaydanur) is a modern Turkish girl's name widely explained as 'water nymph' or naiad. It rose sharply in Turkey in recent decades; the folk etymology is popular but not deeply documented, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#14088 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2000
Total births (all-time)≈ 132

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200019972024

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

Ilayda is a modern Turkish girl's name that climbed quickly in Turkey from the late twentieth century. The common explanation is 'water nymph' or naiad; the etymology is folk rather than firmly attested, which we note (said 'ee-LIE-duh').

It is very rare for girls in the U.S. and popular in Turkey. Modern, flowing, and distinctive.

Did you know? Ilayda took off in Turkey within living memory — a fresh name rather than an ancient one, usually explained as a water nymph or naiad. The gloss is widely repeated, and we note that it is not deeply documented (said 'ee-LIE-duh').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Ilayda — Modern Turkish name; 'water nymph' gloss widely repeated

Variations

IlaidaIlaydanurIlayda

Nicknames

IlaLayIda

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ilayda…

Elif— a like Turkish favourite
Leyla— a like flowing Turkish classic
Aylin— a like modern Turkish pick
Ayda— a close rhyme with the same soft ending

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ilayda mean?

Ilayda is a modern Turkish name usually explained as 'water nymph' or naiad. The etymology is popular rather than firmly documented, which we note.

How do you pronounce Ilayda?

It's said ee-LIE-duh /iˈlaɪ.də/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Ilayda a boy or girl name?

Ilayda is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Ilayda?

Ilayda is very rare for girls in the U.S., but a well-used name in Turkey.

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