Declining since 1999.
Popularity of Naja since 1964
Babies named Naja per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 89 |
| 1980s | 205 |
| 1990s | 482 |
| 2000s | 369 |
| 2010s | 102 |
| 2020s | 23 |
Meaning & origin
Naja is a name of uncertain and varied origins, likely a modern coinage or a variant of names like Naya or Nadia. First recorded in the United States in 1964, it saw its highest usage in 1998, but its popularity has been falling since 1999, and it has not appeared in recent top 1000 rankings. The name's 1-in-N ratio is not available due to low frequency. Its top states are not listed due to sparse data, suggesting it remains a rare choice. Parents drawn to short, melodic names with a global feel may appreciate Naja's multicultural potential.
Naja has multiple proposed origins. It may be a variant of the Arabic name Naya, meaning 'caretaker' or 'noble', or a feminine form of Najib, meaning 'intelligent'. In Greenlandic, Naja means 'younger sister'. In English-speaking countries, it emerged in the late 20th century, possibly as a creative respelling of Nadia or Naya.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Naja
Names that share Naja's style, for a brother or sister.
