Laia is a Catalan feminine given name, popular in regions such as Catalonia and Valencia in Spain. It's pronounced /ˈla.jə/ with the stress on the first syllable. The name Laia is derived from the Latin word 'Laura', which means 'laurel' or 'laurels'. In ancient Rome, laurels were associated with victory and triumph, symbolizing success and achievement. However, unlike Laura, Laia has a distinct 'a' sound at the end, giving it a unique phonetic quality.
The name Laia experienced a notable increase in popularity over the decades, with a significant spike starting around the year 2015 and continuing through to the most recent data available from 2023.