Rising since 2022.
Popularity of Panayiota since 1974
Babies named Panayiota per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 10 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 20 |
| 2000s | 32 |
| 2010s | 27 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Panayiota is a distinctly rare Greek name in the United States, first recorded in Social Security data in 1974. While it has never cracked the national top 1,000, it saw its peak year in 2001, reflecting a modest moment of interest among Greek-American families. After a period of decline, the name has been on a rising trajectory since 2022. The name's connection to the Virgin Mary's epithet panagia gives it a strong religious resonance within Greek Orthodox traditions. Its relative obscurity in the U.S. underscores its cultural specificity, making it a meaningful choice for families honoring Greek heritage.
Panayiota is the feminine form of Panayiotis, which itself derives from the Greek panagia (pan 'all' + hagia 'holy'), a title of the Virgin Mary. The name is widely used in Greece and among Greek diaspora communities, often bestowed in honor of the Virgin Mary. It has been in use in the United States since at least 1974, with a peak in popularity in 2001, though it remains rare overall.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Panayia, Yiota, Yia, Nayia
Variants: Panagia, Panayia, Panagiota
Sibling names for Panayiota
Names that share Panayiota's style, for a brother or sister.
