Rising since 1990, #1,581 for girls today.
Popularity of Naia since 1982
Babies named Naia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 68 |
| 2000s | 592 |
| 2010s | 825 |
| 2020s | 733 |
Meaning & origin
Naia is a relatively modern name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1982, but it has been rising steadily in popularity since the 1990s. It reached its peak rank of 1581 in 2023, with about 1 in every 12,085 baby girls receiving the name that year. The name is most popular in Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington, suggesting a possible connection to nature or a trend toward short, vowel-heavy names like Maia and Kaia. While its etymology is debated, Naia's gentle sound and simple spelling contribute to its appeal among parents seeking a distinctive yet accessible name.
Naia is a name of uncertain etymology. It may be a modern diminutive of names containing the element 'naya' or a variant of Naya, which itself has multiple possible origins. Alternatively, it could be derived from the Basque word 'naia' meaning 'brother'. The name has seen increasing use in the United States since the 1990s, partly influenced by the similar name Maia.
Where Naia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Naia” around the world
Where Naia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
155
babies in 2024
New Zealand
12
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Nai, Naya
Variants: Naya
Sibling names for Naia
Names that share Naia's style, for a brother or sister.
