Ayo
Meaningjoy · Yoruba
Ayo is an African gender-neutral name meaning “joy”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- GenerationAyo peaked in 1973, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Ayo you'd meet today is about 52 years old.
- HistoryAyo first shows up in US birth records in 1972, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 53 years since.
US births per million girls, 1972–2025
US births per million boys, 1973–2025
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Ayo
Ayo is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “joy”. Short and strong, it's said in a single beat and ends on an open, friendly vowel, so it pairs easily with a longer middle name. It hit its peak in the 1970s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Ayo
What does the name Ayo mean?
Ayo means “joy” and comes from Yoruba. Names built around “joy” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Abigail (“my father is joy”), Winston (“joy stone”), Joy (“joy”) and Beatrice (“she who brings joy”).
What is the origin of the name Ayo?
Ayo is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Yoruba. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Ayo a boy or girl name?
Both. Ayo is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Ayo?
Ayo is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2021. It peaked at #6,080 in 1973, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Ayo?
If you like Ayo, you might also like Abigail, Winston, Joy and Beatrice.
What should I know before naming my baby Ayo?
Ayo is an African gender-neutral name meaning “joy”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds short and punchy, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with a longer middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.