AthleteAmerican2006 – present
Zaila Avant-garde
2021 Scripps National Spelling Bee champion, multi-sport athlete
Biography
An American spelling bee champion who won the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2021 at age 14. She is also a basketball player and track athlete, representing a new generation of multitalented young competitors.
Quick Facts
Category
Athlete
Nationality
American
Born
2006
Thinking about the name
Zaila
Arabic origin
“A feminine variation rooted in Arabic, with 'Zai-' suggesting brightness or radiance combined with the melodic '-la' ending common in Arabic and Swahili girl names. The name has an elegant, flowing quality that bridges African and Middle Eastern naming traditions. It feels modern yet grounded in linguistic heritage.”