Rising since 2011, #5,410 for girls today.
Popularity of Nyota since 1975
Babies named Nyota per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 19 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 24 |
| 2020s | 77 |
Meaning & origin
Nyota, meaning 'star' in Swahili, has seen a steady rise in use since 2011, reflecting a growing appreciation for names with African roots and celestial meanings. In 2025, it reached its peak rank of 5,410 (1 in 69,881 births), a notable climb from its first recorded appearance in 1975. While not yet widely used in any single state, its upward trajectory suggests a bright future as a distinctive yet accessible choice. The name carries a modern, global feel, and its simple pronunciation makes it easy to adopt across cultures.
Nyota directly translates to 'star' in Swahili, a Bantu language widely spoken in East Africa. The name entered broader usage in the English-speaking world partly due to the character Nyota Uhura in the Star Trek franchise (first appearing in 1966), though its use as a given name predates that association, with recorded births in the United States as early as the mid-1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ny, Nyo, Yoyo
Sibling names for Nyota
Names that share Nyota's style, for a brother or sister.
