Alaia

Joyful, cheerful.

Alaia comes from the Basque word alai, meaning “joyful” or “cheerful”. Its root is an everyday adjective, giving the name a direct connection to happiness. Alaia is used as a girls’ name in Basque and also in modern Spanish naming. On the page, the three a’s give its five letters a pleasing sense of repetition. Spoken aloud, the soft l and flowing vowels can make it feel light and lilting. The cheerful meaning adds warmth to that sound without making the name elaborate. Alaia may appeal if you like a compact name with plenty of vowel sound and a meaning that is easy to explain.

Etymology: Alaia is a Basque name derived from alai, an adjective meaning joyful or cheerful.