Holding steady, #992 for girls today.
Popularity of Kaiya since 1974
Babies named Kaiya per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2002, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Kaiya's real moment was 2023.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 26 |
| 1980s | 83 |
| 1990s | 495 |
| 2000s | 3,188 |
| 2010s | 3,027 |
| 2020s | 1,768 |
Meaning & origin
Kaiya first appeared in U.S. Social Security records in 1974, but remained rare for decades. It experienced a notable rise, reaching its peak rank of 992 in 2023. As of 2025, the name holds the same rank, with 1 in 6,303 girls receiving the name, reflecting stable popularity. The name is most common in Washington, Wisconsin, and Missouri. Kaiya exemplifies the modern trend of creative respellings and soft, vowel-ending names. Its appeal lies in its fresh sound and similarity to established names like Kaia and Maya, without the historical baggage of older, more traditional names.
Kaiya is a modern coinage that emerged in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by names such as Kaia (a Scandinavian short form of Katarina) or Maya. It may also be a respelling of the Japanese name Kaiya meaning 'forgiveness' or 'shell valley', though this connection is not well-attested. The name has seen increasing use in the United States since the 1990s.
Where Kaiya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kaiya” around the world
Where Kaiya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
New Zealand
11
babies in 2025
Sources: NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Kai
Sibling names for Kaiya
Names that share Kaiya's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Maya, Leila, Zara, Ava, Sienna, Aalayah, Alayah, Maliah, Miya, Nylah, Sariyah, Zaniyah, Ajah, Amaiya, Jailah, Jiya, Malayah, Malea, Mayah, Naiya, Niya, Ryah, Samari, Samaya, Shamiya, Aamiyah, Aiya, Akiyah, Alahia, Amaiah, Amyiah, Anjuli, Briah, Damiya, Indiya, Isyss, Jaaliyah, Jaelah, Jaiana, Jaiya, Jayah, Kaaliyah, Kylani, Laiyah, Lamaya, Lariah, Liani, Makaya, Malaiya, Naiari, Naiyah, Navaya, Naziah, Nirvi, Nylani, Ramiah, Runa, Saisha, Saya, Taia, Tariyah, Xaria, Zalaya, Zaliyah, Zanyah, Zoriah, Zyria, Aalaya, Ahmaya, Ahniyah, Aitanna, Aiyah, Ajooni, Akyla, Ameyah, Arrayah, Ayanni, Aylany, Aysiah, Azyah, Azyiah, Briyah, Camaya, Chania, Dalaya, Deziyah, Dmya, Jahlia, Jasiya, Jiyah, Kamea, Karmah, Kinya, Kyari, Laiya, Laveah, Leiyah, Malaiyah, Maleeya, Malya, Maziyah, Mikiya, Miyani, Mylasia, Namiah, Natori, Neylani, Nyara, Nyiah, Nyliah, Saiya, Sakiya, Salayah, Sanaiya, Teniya, Zakya, Zaryiah, Zavia, Zhavia, Ziyanna, Zurii, Jnya, Zaliah, Aaryah, Aayana, Aiyanah, Aiyannah, Akiah, Amariyana, Arayla, Avaiya, Azaliyah, Azyriah, Demyah, Dreyah, Emika, Emyah, Iyanni, Jahleah, Jaiyanna, Jaiyla, Jaylaa, Jiah, Jiyana, Julani, Khailani, Kiori, Leyani, Maiana, Malijah, Malita, Marlaya, Marsai, Mikaia, Moorea, Moriya, Myani, Naijah, Naiyana, Nakaiya, Nakyah, Nalea, Naleia, Namine, Naraya, Naryiah, Niaja, Niayla, Niyomi, Niyonna, Nyajah, Nyrah, Reniya, Saesha, Samaia, Samariya, Seraya, Shandiin, Siniyah, Taeja, Talayla, Timiya, Xaila, Xariyah, Zamariyah, Zanaiya, Zenayah, Zeriyah, Zonnique, Zyairah, Zyara, Zyelle, Zyona
Brothers: Kai, Liam, Ethan, Noah, Mason, Jakai, Zyion, Zymir, Akai, Anias, Daevion, Kahmari, Kiyon, Makhai, Malakhai, Sakai, Takai, Takota, Zayvian, Ziyon, Amirion, Dakai, Jairen, Kaheem, Kairee, Kaizyn, Mako, Malekai, Xzavior, Zaylyn, Zyren, Aleki, Alikai, Denahi, Dmani, Jahmyr, Kaisan, Kessiah, Maasai, Markevion, Mykai, Myshawn, Nycere, Nyzier, Tavari, Zhyon, Zyeir, Zyiere
