Declining since 2001, #702 for girls today.
Popularity of Nia since 1951
Babies named Nia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 19 |
| 1960s | 85 |
| 1970s | 788 |
| 1980s | 1,198 |
| 1990s | 5,283 |
| 2000s | 8,571 |
| 2010s | 6,546 |
| 2020s | 2,932 |
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.
“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.

