MallowbyNames

Nia

NEE-uh · Bright; radiance; also a short form of names like Antonia and Niamh.

2025 rank (girls)
#702
Babies named in 2025
403
Peak popularity
2001
2025 frequency
1 in 3,988 girls
Usually for
Girls
Trend
Declining since 2001

Declining since 2001, #702 for girls today.

Popularity of Nia since 1951

Babies named Nia per year in U.S. Social Security records.

3446891k1960198020002020Most births 2000Girls
Data table (by decade)
DecadeGirls
1950s19
1960s85
1970s788
1980s1,198
1990s5,283
2000s8,571
2010s6,546
2020s2,932

Meaning & origin

Nia is a short, internationally versatile name that draws from Welsh, Irish, and Swahili roots. In the United States, it first appeared in official records in 1951 and reached its peak popularity in 2001, when it was ranked 308th. Since then, its usage has declined; as of 2025, it sits at rank 702, with approximately 1 in every 3,988 newborn girls receiving the name. The name has been most popular in the states of Massachusetts, Washington, and New Jersey. Its meaning varies by culture: in Welsh it signifies 'bright' or 'radiant,' in Irish it echoes the luminous Niamh, and in Swahili it conveys 'purpose' or 'resolve.' This layered background, combined with its easy pronunciation and spelling, gives Nia a broad appeal. It also functions as a nickname for Antonia and other longer names, though it stands well on its own.

Nia has multiple origins. In Welsh, it is a feminine name meaning 'bright' or 'radiant,' possibly derived from the element 'nwyf' meaning 'vigor' or 'nobility.' In Irish, it is often considered a short form of Niamh, meaning 'bright' or 'radiant.' In Swahili, Nia means 'purpose' or 'resolve.' In English-speaking countries, it also functions as a diminutive of names like Antonia. The name gained popularity in the United States from the 1970s onward, partly due to its simplicity and cross-cultural appeal.

Where Nia 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.

2020s
Fewermore per 100k girlstoo few births

Nia” around the world

Where Nia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.

  • France

    30

    babies in 2024

  • Ireland

    9

    babies in 2025

  • New Zealand

    13

    babies in 2025

Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand).

Nicknames & variants

Variants: Niah

Sibling names for Nia

Names that share Nia's style, for a brother or sister.

Sisters: Maya, Lena, Kira, Zara, Leila, Imani, Jada, Aja, Akia, Ayana, Ayanna, Emani, Iesha, Iyana, Iyanna, Janay, Kamaria, Kenia, Keonna, Keyla, Kimani, Kimora, Kisha, Lakeisha, Makiyah, Nakayla, Sade, Shani, Shaniya, Tamia, Tia, Zaria, Zuri, Aiyanna, Ajah, Aleigha, Aleyah, Chi, Daysha, Dea, Ebonee, Erykah, Ieshia, Iyonna, Jakiya, Jalani, Jamaria, Jamiah, Jamiya, Kahlia, Kaliah, Kamani, Kamora, Kaniyah, Keasia, Kenisha, Keyana, Keysha, Khalia, Kiari, Kiyah, Kizzy, Kyanna, La, Laniya, Malaika, Mecca, Miesha, Monae, Myesha, Myisha, Nariyah, Niesha, Nyomi, Shaquita, Sia, Takia, Tamiyah, Taniyah, Tea, Tiera, Tionna, Tyeisha, Zaniah, Adama, Afia, Ahmani, Ahmya, Ajanae, Akiyah, Ama, Anesha, Anesia, Asani, Ayannah, Ayonna, Breyonna, Camara, Chaniya, Daeja, Daesha, Dajia, Damiah, Daya, Dayja, Deija, Deshay, Draya, Ieasha, Ieisha, Imoni, Jakhia, Jakya, Jamea, Janyah, Janyia, Kadejah, Kaisha, Kamyah, Kamyia, Keairra, Keiona, Kelia, Kemora, Kemya, Kennia, Keyaira, Keyera, Kiasia, Kiauna, Kiri, Kyia, Kyri, Lakira, Lashanna, Lateasha, Lateisha, Mahari, Makeba, Meia, Mi, Monifa, Myeisha, Myonna, Nayah, Neisha, Nekia, Nija, Nivia, Nyia, Onika, Quanesha, Quianna, Rakia, Reniyah, Samora, Seren, Seriyah, Shakara, Shakeema, Shakeya, Shakiyla, Shakyra, Shamiah, Shamyra, Shian, Sian, Taijah, Tajae, Tajah, Tamari, Tanasia, Tashay, Teaira, Tearra, Temika, Tiah, Tiasia, Tionne, Tkeyah, Tynia, Tysha, Yemaya, Yer, Zykia, Adisa, Akeya, Aniaya, Aniyha, Asanti, Ashaki, Ashani, Azani, Cay, Cerys, Chandria, Chanise, Daijah, Dajanique, Damali, Dameka, Damesha, Dazia, Deaja, Deashia, Deijah, Dejia, Dia, Ebonique, Endya, Eyana, Eyanna, Hydeia, Iyesha, Jabrea, Jahdai, Jahmya, Janayla, Jaquala, Jmya, Kalah, Kamarah, Kamira, Katoya, Kayona, Keia, Kema, Kemiya, Keni, Kenyada, Kenyana, Kenyata, Keshana, Kesi, Keyauna, Keyerra, Keymani, Khia, Kioni, Kiwana, Kiyonna, Kwanza, Kyeisha, Kyonna, Lanyia, Leani, Letoya, Ly, Maisha, Manna, Maresha, Maziah, Miyonna, Monea, Monee, Na, Nakhia, Nakyia, Nasiya, Ndea, Ndia, Niaya, Oni, Oshun, Quana, Rehanna, Shabria, Shakari, Shakeira, Shakia, Shakiyah, Siedah, Sola, Taaliyah, Tahisha, Tahja, Takita, Taleisha, Tamea, Tanajah, Tanayah, Tanysha, Tayonna, Teniya, Thia, Tiasha, Timiyah, Tiye, Tya, Tyeasha, Xin, Ymani, Zanyia, Ceairra, Chanee, Kiasha, Lakeyia, Mekia, Shanasia, Tondalaya, Zakeya, Aaliayah, Adaisha, Adaja, Adeja, Ahmia, Aiyannah, Ajahnae, Ajanee, Akeema, Akesha, Akiah, Alejah, Ameah, Amijah, Amiyrah, Anaija, Anecia, Aniqua, Ashantae, Ashaunti, Ashonte, Ayira, Azya, Breeonna, Breshay, Cashay, Ceasia, Chantea, Chenae, Cionna, Daisja, Daizha, Dajae, Dajai, Dakia, Damyia, Damyiah, Dashay, Dayshia, Dazhane, Deah, Deaisha, Dejha, Deyjah, Deysha, Ebonye, Geniyah, Ia, Imanni, Ishia, Iyanni, Jacayla, Jacoya, Jahmia, Jahnaya, Jakiera, Jaleeya, Jameia, Jaquasia, Jashanti, Jatia, Javia, Jazyah, Jendayi, Jlani, Jnai, Jonea, Julani, Kashae, Kasiya, Keidra, Kemba, Kemonie, Kenyona, Kenyotta, Keondria, Kewana, Keyah, Keyairra, Keyanah, Keyasha, Keyatta, Keyira, Keymora, Keyonni, Keyunna, Khaya, Khlani, Kwana, Kyiesha, Ladaysha, Lai, Lakiah, Lakiyah, Latori, Malayasia, Marjani, Martavia, Miasha, Miniya, Monasia, Mykeria, Myosha, Naleia, Nashea, Nashia, Natiya, Naw, Neiva, Neka, Neyah, Niaja, Niamani, Nikeria, Nikiah, Nikyah, Nyaja, Nyajah, Nyasiah, Nyonna, Nyrah, Olani, Oneka, Phiona, Qianna, Ramiyah, Rashay, Rikia, Shakiah, Shanaye, Shanequia, Shaquel, Shaquella, Shaquilla, Shatera, Shatora, Shavonte, Shuree, Sya, Tabia, Tahesha, Takeyah, Takyah, Tamirra, Taneya, Tanganyika, Tanicia, Tanyiah, Tarshia, Tashanti, Tashiba, Tayona, Teauna, Teonia, Tiajah, Tianni, Tiombe, Tola, Tonae, Treonna, Tuere, Tyaisha, Tyauna, Tyjanae, Umeka, Xola, Zakyia, Zani, Zarie, Zi

Brothers: Kai, Milo, Leo, Eli, Asa, Amiri, Kobe, Akeem, Amari, Damari, Dandre, Daquan, Denzel, Deonte, Devante, Devonte, Dontae, Donte, Glynn, Jabari, Jamaal, Jamar, Jamarcus, Jamarion, Jamel, Jamelle, Jamere, Jamir, Jaquan, Javion, Javon, Jaylon, Jelani, Kenyatta, Keon, Khari, Kymani, Langston, Malique, Marquan, Marques, Marquis, Mekhi, Omari, Sekani, Shamar, Shaquille, Shomari, Tevin, Tyree, Asante, Aundre, Camari, Dajon, Dakarai, Damani, Damario, Damoni, Damonte, Dasean, Dashaun, Dashawn, Daunte, Davante, Daveon, Dayshawn, Dayvon, Dejon, Deontae, Desean, Diante, Dionte, Djuan, Jadarius, Jahari, Jahlil, Jaire, Jajuan, Jakai, Jakobi, Jamaine, Jamell, Jamier, Jashaun, Jawan, Jayquan, Jayshawn, Jayvon, Jovon, Jrue, Juwan, Kadeem, Kanye, Keandre, Keion, Kentrell, Keondre, Keonte, Keshaun, Keyshawn, Lamonte, Lashaun, Makhi, Malakhi, Marquel, Marquese, Marshawn, Martez, Mehki, Montrell, Nyjah, Raekwon, Rakeem, Rashaad, Rashard, Rasheem, Rasheen, Rayquan, Romell, Roshawn, Shemar, Tahj, Tai, Taquan, Tavon, Travion, Treshawn, Trevion, Treyvon, Tyjuan, Tyreese, Tyreke, Tyriq, Tyrique, Tyshaun, Zyair, Zymir, Ahkeem, Akili, Alante, Alonte, Arnez, Ayinde, Bren, Cartez, Chaka, Daevon, Dakhari, Damar, Damarco, Damier, Dantae, Danzel, Daquon, Dashun, Davaughn, Dayon, Dayveon, Deandrae, Dejohn, Demani, Demetrus, Deyon, Diquan, Dmario, Dmarion, Dontez, Dwyane, Jacori, Jacquan, Jaelon, Jahkai, Jahmal, Jahmar, Jaivon, Jakeem, Jamaar, Jamael, Jamani, Jamaree, Jamarian, Jamarie, Jamarious, Jamaris, Jamarkus, Jameir, Jamire, Jamoni, Jaquay, Jashon, Jatavious, Javar, Javell, Javonni, Javonta, Javoris, Jawaun, Jawuan, Jayon, Jemal, Jemar, Jontae, Jquan, Jyaire, Kajuan, Kashaun, Kashawn, Keishawn, Kentavious, Keonta, Kesean, Kevion, Kevonte, Keyontae, Keyshaun, Khamani, Khary, Khiry, Kiyon, Kyjuan, Kyshawn, Lakeith, Larenz, Llewyn, Maliek, Maliki, Marque, Masai, Mekhai, Montrez, Nashawn, Nasiah, Oshay, Phi, Rahmel, Rahmir, Rajon, Ramell, Ras, Rasean, Rashaan, Rashan, Rashun, Rayshon, Reo, Roshaun, Saquan, Sekou, Shavar, Takari, Tarell, Tashaun, Taveon, Taye, Tayveon, Tevon, Tijuan, Torrian, Travonte, Trequan, Treshaun, Treshon, Tyheem, Tymere, Tyrece, Tyvon, Tywon, Vashon, Yohance, Zamar, Ziare, Ahmere, Akeen, Akhari, Antrell, Askia, Ayo, Cadarius, Daesean, Daeshaun, Daishaun, Daishawn, Dajaun, Damere, Daqwan, Darreon, Davonn, Deaaron, Deantae, Deaunte, Dejean, Demondre, Demontae, Deray, Derius, Deshane, Devanta, Devondre, Diondre, Djimon, Dre, Dsean, Dyshawn, Efe, Fuquan, Hykeem, Ikeem, Jabarri, Jacarri, Jah, Jahaad, Jahki, Jahmai, Jakell, Jakhai, Jakwon, Jamai, Jamareon, Jamario, Jamaury, Jameal, Jameil, Jamian, Jamiere, Jamion, Jammal, Jamond, Jamone, Jamontae, Jaquil, Jaquin, Jaquis, Jarmar, Jashun, Jasiri, Jauan, Javarion, Javarus, Javaughn, Javeon, Jawanza, Jaymon, Jejuan, Jemari, Jhamir, Jibri, Jobani, Jomo, Jontrell, Jsean, Jshawn, Juquan, Jyair, Kaevon, Kaheem, Kalief, Kamali, Kamare, Kano, Kavonte, Kayveon, Keante, Keeshawn, Keishaun, Kejuan, Kemar, Kevaughn, Kewan, Kewon, Keyondre, Keysean, Khalan, Khalfani, Khayree, Khiree, Khyre, Khyrie, Kiante, Kijuan, Kishawn, Kishon, Krishawn, Kwane, Kweli, Lamontae, Lavontae, Lequan, Maliq, Marquay, Maurion, Mekai, Montavius, Montay, Myaire, Nain, Naquan, Nekhi, Nyair, Nyyear, Nyzaiah, Pharell, Quron, Raheim, Rahkeem, Rasaan, Ryheem, Sakani, Sekai, Sequan, Shamarr, Shamere, Shaquil, Tacari, Taeveon, Taivon, Tajai, Tajon, Tarius, Tasean, Tashon, Tavi, Tayquan, Tayshawn, Terion, Terrez, Teyon, Tion, Tiquan, Tra, Traveon, Tresean, Trevaughn, Tyjai, Tyquez, Tyrease, Tyriek, Tywaun, Vashaun, Zae, Zyquan, Adonte, Bomani, Dontai, Jabori, Jaeshawn, Jahbari, Jaleal, Jaquarious, Jaymere, Jshaun, Keisean, Kenyatte, Marquail, Quayshawn, Ajahni, Ajamu, Akiel, Akiem, Alquan, Arshawn, Artrell, Ashai, Ashawn, Bijon, Corrion, Cyree, Damare, Damaree, Daquann, Darshawn, Dawaun, Demiri, Deontaye, Dequante, Derrico, Devaunte, Dewaun, Dmoni, Dmonte, Donterrius, Dvontae, Emonte, Equan, Eshawn, Hikeem, Jabaree, Jabre, Jadarrius, Jaekwon, Jahcere, Jahmad, Jahmil, Jahron, Jaimere, Jaja, Jakaree, Jakwan, Jamail, Jamair, Jaqua, Jaquavis, Jaquawn, Jaqwon, Jarmarcus, Javohn, Javonn, Jawann, Jomarion, Jonta, Jontez, Jurell, Juwaun, Juwuan, Jyron, Kahron, Kalonji, Kamaury, Kap, Kasheem, Keaundre, Keeon, Keijuan, Keiondre, Keontay, Keyante, Keymon, Keyshun, Kie, Kieon, Kijani, Kimoni, Kinte, Kiree, Kishaun, Kuron, Kwamaine, Kymere, Kyvon, Lavonta, Leontae, Marcquis, Markees, Montre, Mosi, Nazair, Ojani, Omarii, Oshae, Quamel, Quantae, Quayshaun, Raeshaun, Ronte, Saiquan, Semaje, Shaheim, Shaquile, Shyquan, Sundiata, Taesean, Taheem, Tahje, Taiquan, Taishawn, Tajee, Tavious, Teandre, Teion, Teshaun, Teshawn, Toa, Torrion, Tramain, Travoris, Tynell, Zamauri, Zyshonne

Names like Nia

Names whose popularity has moved with Nia's over the last 50 years.

A parent animal hugging its little one, the personalized name page

N is for Nia, our favorite little girl.

N is for Nia…”

In a Mallowby alphabet book, Nia's letter becomes Nia's page: hand-illustrated, printed hardcover or paperback, made just for them.

Make Nia's book

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Questions parents ask

What does the name Nia mean?
Nia has multiple meanings depending on origin: in Welsh it means 'bright' or 'radiant,' in Irish it is associated with 'brightness' as a short form of Niamh, and in Swahili it means 'purpose.'
How popular is the name Nia?
As of 2025, Nia ranks 702nd for girls in the United States, with approximately 1 in 3,988 newborn girls given the name. Its peak popularity was in 2001.
Is Nia a girl's name or a boy's name?
Nia is almost exclusively used as a girl's name. It first appeared in U.S. records for girls in 1951.