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Home › Baby Names Directory › Nayela

Nayela

♀ Girl

Pronounced nah-YEH-luh /nɑːˈjɛ.lə/Medium

Meaning: Nayela reads as a variant of Nayeli, a name popular in Mexico and often said to come from Zapotec and to mean 'I love you'. The etymology is widely repeated but not firmly documented; routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A warm Mexican favourite in a new coat: Nayela sits with Nayeli, often read 'I love you' (said 'nah-YEH-luh'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.
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Origin LowZapotec, Spanish
MeaningNayela reads as a variant of Nayeli, a name popular in Mexico and often said to come from Zapotec and to mean 'I love you'. The etymology is widely repeated but not firmly documented; routes uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#13032 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2016
Total births (all-time)≈ 70

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 201620012024

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

Nayela is a variant of Nayeli, a name that took off across Mexico and among Mexican-American families. It is commonly attributed to Zapotec, an indigenous language of Oaxaca, and glossed 'I love you' — but that reading is popular rather than proven. Routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'nah-YEH-luh').

It appears only very rarely for girls in the U.S. Very rare, warm, and Mexican-rooted.

Did you know? Nayeli is one of Mexico's best-loved girls' names, and the gloss 'I love you' from Zapotec is repeated everywhere — though it is far from firmly documented. Nayela inherits both the warmth and the doubt, which we note (said 'nah-YEH-luh').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Nayela — Nayeli variant; Zapotec 'I love you' gloss widely repeated, not firmly documented

Variations

NayeliNayelliNayelie

Nicknames

NayeYela

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Nayela…

Nayeli— the standard form behind it
Itzel— another indigenous Mexican favourite
Marisol— a like warm Spanish pick
Xiomara— the same Latin American flavour

Explore names like Nayela

By themeuncertainmexicanindigenouszapotec
By meaningLove

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Nayela mean?

Nayela is a form of Nayeli, popularly said to come from Zapotec and to mean 'I love you' — though the etymology is not firmly documented, which we note.

How do you pronounce Nayela?

It's said nah-YEH-luh /nɑːˈjɛ.lə/ — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Nayela a boy or girl name?

Nayela is a girl's name.

How popular is Nayela?

Nayela is a very rare name for girls in the U.S., though Nayeli is well known.

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