Rising since 1985, #200 for girls today.
Popularity of Lia since 1933
Babies named Lia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 33 |
| 1950s | 273 |
| 1960s | 790 |
| 1970s | 1,060 |
| 1980s | 1,606 |
| 1990s | 1,948 |
| 2000s | 5,098 |
| 2010s | 9,749 |
| 2020s | 7,937 |
Meaning & origin
Lia has been in use in the United States since at least 1933, but its rise is a more recent phenomenon. Since 1985, the name has been on a steady upward trajectory, reaching a peak rank of 200 in 2025. It is currently given to about 1 in 1,053 baby girls, making it a common but not overly popular choice. The name is particularly favored in New Mexico, Washington D.C., and Rhode Island, indicating a regional preference. Lia's appeal lies in its simplicity and cross-cultural familiarity, functioning as a short form for many longer names or as a standalone name with Hebrew origins. While rank 200 may not seem extraordinary, the consistent year-over-year growth suggests a name that has quietly become a modern classic.
Lia is a short form of names like Amelia, Cecilia, or Rosalia, and also an independent name. In Italian and Spanish, it is a diminutive of names ending in -lia. It also derives from the Hebrew name Leah, meaning 'weary'. Lia has been used independently in the English-speaking world since the 20th century, rising steadily in popularity.
Where Lia 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.
“Lia” around the world
Where Lia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
250
babies in 2024
Ireland
22
babies in 2025
Quebec
33
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Lee
Sibling names for Lia
Names that share Lia's style, for a brother or sister.
Names like Lia
Names whose popularity has moved with Lia's over the last 50 years.
