Hayy

Hayy is an Arabic given name and word meaning “living” or “the living,” derived from the root ḥ-y-ḥ. It is used in Arabic-speaking communities and among Muslim populations, with transliterations such as Hayy, Hai, or Hey. As a proper name, it may appear alone or as part of longer names.

In literature, Hayy ibn Yaqzan (also rendered Haiy or Hay Ibn Yaqzan) is the protagonist of a 12th-century philosophical novel by Ibn Tufail. The work, often titled Hayy Ibn Yaqzan in Arabic and Philosophus Autodidactus in Latin, tells the story of a boy raised by a gazelle on a desert island who develops knowledge through reason, observation, and introspection. The narrative explores questions about perception, the nature of knowledge, religion, and the existence of the divine, presenting a bridge between natural philosophy and spirituality.

The novel is regarded as an early example of the philosophical or autodidactic novel and had a notable influence on later European thought during the Renaissance and Enlightenment. It contributed to discussions on the relationship between reason and faith and informed debates on innate ideas and the process of learning. Its reception varied, but it helped popularize themes of rational inquiry and the universality of human intellect across cultural contexts.

Outside this literary reference, Hayy functions primarily as a personal name in contemporary Arabic-speaking communities, with various transliterations and occasional use in naming traditions. See also Hayy Ibn Yaqzan.