Ayalew is a personal name, following the Habesha name system, of Ethiopian origin. Notable people with the name include:
Ayalew Birru (1892–1945), Ethiopian military officer Aweke Ayalew (born 1993), Bahraini middle-distance and long-distance runner Hiwot Ayalew (born 1990), Ethiopian long-distance runner Lidetu Ayalew (born 1969), Ethiopian politician Wude Ayalew (born 1987), Ethiopian long-distance runner