embrisa.
embrisa.
Theme
Feminine

Nayeli

nɑːˈjɛl.i

I love you

Zapotec

How to say it

na · YE · li

nɑːˈjɛl.i

What it means

From Zapotec, an Indigenous language of Oaxaca, Mexico, traditionally read as 'I love you.'

Nayeli comes from Zapotec, one of the Indigenous languages of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, and is tenderly translated as 'I love you.' It is widely used across Mexican and Mexican-American families, part of the same revival of Indigenous names as Itzel and Citlali. The meaning makes it quietly affectionate, and it shortens to Naye or Nay. Said nah-YEL-ee.

How to spell Nayeli

The standard spelling is Nayeli. Common variants include Nayely, Nayelhi, Naheli, but Nayeli is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #996518802025

peaked at #175 in 2001, currently #271 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving

Heads-up notes

  • Pronunciation

    nah-YEL-ee.

  • Worth knowing

    Popular across Mexican-American families; an Indigenous Zapotec name meaning 'I love you.'

Spelling variants

  • Nayely
  • Nayelhi
  • Naheli

Common questions

What does the name Nayeli mean?
From Zapotec, an Indigenous language of Oaxaca, Mexico, traditionally read as 'I love you.'
What does Nayeli mean in Zapotec?
In Zapotec, Nayeli means "I love you." Nayeli comes from Zapotec, one of the Indigenous languages of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, and is tenderly translated as 'I love you.' It is widely used across Mexican and Mexican-American families, part of the same revival of Indigenous names as Itzel and Citlali. The meaning makes it quietly affectionate, and it shortens to Naye or Nay. Said nah-YEL-ee.
How do you pronounce Nayeli?
Nayeli is pronounced nɑːˈjɛl.i. Say it as na-YE-li, with the stress on the "ye" syllable.
How do you spell Nayeli?
The standard spelling is Nayeli. Common spelling variants include Nayely, Nayelhi, Naheli.
Is Nayeli a boy or girl name?
Nayeli is traditionally a feminine name.
How popular is the name Nayeli?
Nayeli ranked #271 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.