Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Khaya
π Khaya
β Girl
How to Pronounce Khaya
Pronounced KAH-yah
π Hear it /ΛkΙΛ.jΙΛ/ Medium β§ copy
Meaning: From the Zulu/Xhosa khaya, 'home,' and also the name of the African mahogany tree (genus Khaya). A warm, grounded nature-and-home name. Low β§ copy
In 30 seconds: A warm South African name: Khaya means 'home' (said 'KAH-yah'). Grounded and rare.
π Browse more names
🍼
Essentials for baby
Baby care from Dr. Talbot’s
Bottles, diapering, bath and nasal care — 23 picks.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop baby essentials
Meaning From the Zulu/Xhosa khaya, 'home,' and also the name of the African mahogany tree (genus Khaya). A warm, grounded nature-and-home name.
U.S. rank (2024) #16467 β Falling
2024 U.S. births 5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year 2014
Total births (all-time) β 243
🌸
Essentials for mom
What she’ll actually want in week one
Peri-bottle, nursing pads, postpartum ice packs — 29 picks from Dr. Talbot’s.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop mom essentials Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data peak 2014 1993 2024 U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data .
History & Origin Khaya comes from the Zulu/Xhosa for 'home,' and doubles as the African mahogany (genus Khaya). Warm and rooted, it reads as both a home word and a tree name -- rare in the U.S. (said 'KAH-yah').
In the U.S. it appears very rarely. Extremely rare, warm, and grounded.
Did you know? Khaya is Zulu and Xhosa for 'home'; it is also the name of the African mahogany tree, which we note honestly -- a grounded, welcoming name (said 'KAH-yah').
Overall data confidence 46%
References -- Khaya β Zulu/Xhosa word name -- noted honestly. audio_use_respelling true.
Variations Khayah Kaya Khaia
Nicknames Kay Khay
Famous Bearers Famous bearers coming soon. If you like Khayaβ¦ Kaya β a near-twin in sound Amara β a like warm African name Zola β a like South African name Nia β a like short African word name Frequently Asked What does the name Khaya mean? Khaya is Zulu and Xhosa for 'home'; it also names the African mahogany tree.
How do you pronounce Khaya? It's said KAH-yah /ΛkΙΛ.jΙΛ/ -- two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Khaya a boy or girl name? Khaya is a girl's name.
How popular is Khaya? Khaya is an extremely rare name in the U.S.
