Explore the Family Name Laya
The meaning of Laya
1. Indian (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra): from a word in local dialects of Hindi meaning ‘bird’. This name is traditionally borne by carpenters. 2. Spanish: habitational name from any of at least two places called Laya, in Biscay and Burgos, or Laia in Galicia (Lugo), which are thought to be of pre-Roman origin. 3. Filipino: nickname from Tagalog laya ‘free, emancipated’, or a topographic name from laya, a word which in various languages of the Philippines means ‘interior part of a country’ or ‘upper part of a town’.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Laya in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census, the surname Laya has seen a rise in popularity over time. In the year 2000, it ranked 63,297, but by 2010, it had climbed up to the 55,741st position, marking a growth of approximately 11.94%. The count of individuals with the surname Laya also increased from 295 in 2000 to 368 in 2010, showing an increase of about 24.75%. Additionally, the proportion of this surname per 100k people saw a slight increase from 0.11 to 0.12 during this decade.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #63,297 | #55,741 | 11.94% |
| Count | 295 | 368 | 24.75% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.11 | 0.12 | 9.09% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Laya
The ethnic identity associated with the surname Laya has also changed over the years according to the Decennial U.S. Census data. In 2000, the largest ethnicity group was White, accounting for 39.66%, followed by Asian/Pacific Islander at 33.90% and Hispanic at 25.42%. By 2010, the Asian/Pacific Islander group had grown to become the majority at 42.12%, marking an increase of 24.25%. The Hispanic group also saw a growth of around 14.40% reaching 29.08%. Meanwhile, the percentage of White individuals with the surname Laya decreased significantly to 26.09%, marking a decrease of 34.22%. Notably, the Black ethnicity and American Indian and Alaskan Native groups were not represented in 2000, but by 2010, the Black group made up 2.17% of the total.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 33.9% | 42.12% | 24.25% |
| Hispanic | 25.42% | 29.08% | 14.4% |
| White | 39.66% | 26.09% | -34.22% |
| Black | 0% | 2.17% | 0% |
| Two or More Races | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |