Holding steady, #6,838 for girls today.
Popularity of Nea since 1932
Babies named Nea per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2007, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Nea's real moment was 2025.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 0 |
| 1950s | 0 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 54 |
| 1990s | 53 |
| 2000s | 117 |
| 2010s | 103 |
| 2020s | 57 |
Meaning & origin
Nea is a concise and melodic name with uncertain origins, recorded in the United States since 1932. Its peak year to date is 2025, when it ranked 6,838 with approximately 1 in 100,454 baby girls receiving the name. The name remains stable in usage, primarily concentrated in New York. While its etymology is debated, Nea may derive from the Greek 'nea' (new) or serve as a short form of Anthea or Linnea. Its simplicity and soft sound make it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a rare name with a modern feel.
Nea is likely a shortened form of names like Anthea (from Greek 'anthos' meaning flower) or Linnea (the Swedish name honoring botanist Carl Linnaeus). It may also derive directly from the Greek word 'nea' (new). In Scandinavia, Nea is used as a diminutive for names ending in -nea. The name has seen occasional use in English-speaking countries since the early 20th century.
Where Nea is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Nea” around the world
Where Nea lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Sibling names for Nea
Names that share Nea's style, for a brother or sister.
