Khaya
Meaninghome · Zulu
Khaya is an African boy name meaning “home”, with Zulu roots. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- Hidden namesLook closely: Khaya has the name Aya hiding inside it.
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Khaya would score 15 points, thanks largely to the K (worth 5).
- HistoryKhaya first shows up in US birth records in 1993, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 32 years since.
Fewer than 5 US babies a year get this name, so SSA doesn't list it. That makes it truly rare.
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Khaya
Khaya is a boy name of African origin meaning “home”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a rare choice in the US, so your child is unlikely to meet another Khaya at school.
Origin:African names
More African boy names
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Boy name: Omari · long-lived
- Boy name: Ermias · form of Jeremiah
- Boy name: Jabari · brave, fearless
- Boy name: Paulo · small
- Unisex name: Amani · peace
Questions about the name Khaya
What does the name Khaya mean?
Khaya means “home” and comes from Zulu. Other boy names with a similar meaning include Henry (“ruler of the home”), Enzo (“possibly home ruler”), Hendrix (“ruler of the home”) and Hank (“ruler of the home”).
What is the origin of the name Khaya?
Khaya is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Zulu. Other African names to consider are Cairo (“the victorious”), Asa (“healer”), Zaire (“river”) and Omari (“long-lived”).
Is Khaya a boy or girl name?
Khaya is a boy name, though a few girls are given it too each year.
What names are similar to Khaya?
If you like Khaya, you might also like Henry, Enzo, Hendrix and Hank.
What should I know before naming my baby Khaya?
Khaya is an African boy name meaning “home”, with Zulu roots. 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 soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.