chayah

Chayah is a Hebrew noun meaning “living being” or “animal.” It derives from the root ח-י-ה (ḥ-y-h), which is also linked to life and being alive. In many contexts the form chayyah (חַיָּה) appears as the feminine noun meaning a living creature, and it is often found in biblical phrases such as nefesh chayyah, “a living soul/creature.”

In Biblical Hebrew, chayah is used to refer to animals and other living beings created by God, and it appears in discussions that distinguish living creatures from plants or non-living things. The term is part of a broader semantic field about life and vitality that includes related words such as chai (life) and chayim (lifes; plural).

In Modern Hebrew, chaya (חיה) is the standard word for “animal.” It is also widely used as a female given name in Jewish communities, reflecting the root’s association with life and vitality. The name Chaya is commonly found among people of Ashkenazi and other Jewish backgrounds and is often transliterated as Chaya, Chayyah, or similar variants.

Related terms include chayot (the plural form, meaning “living creatures” or “beasts”), and nefesh chayyah, the biblical phrase commonly translated as “living creature” or “living soul.” The root also yields chai (life) and chayim (life, plural), which appear in various liturgical, literary, and everyday uses.

Overall, chayah occupies a foundational place in Hebrew vocabulary for life and living beings, with both ancient biblical significance and contemporary everyday usage, including as a personal name.