US Popularity Rank: 843

Origin: Sanskrit

Meaning: Abode, dwelling

Alaya is a profound little feminine name offering baby quite the foundation to form a wise and virtuous character. A shorthand of the Buddist term ālaya-vijñāna, meaning "storehouse consciousness," Alaya means "abode" or "dwelling" in its original Sanskrit. At its core, Alaya represents the ancient Yogācāra concept of the 8th level of consciousness, which holds all impressions of past experiences. As the basis for all other senses, ālaya-vijñāna forms the seeds of future karmic action and the gateway to enlightenment upon purification.