Rising since 2001, #3,712 for girls today.
Popularity of Rheya since 2000
Babies named Rheya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 2000s | 107 |
| 2010s | 229 |
| 2020s | 268 |
Meaning & origin
Rheya entered U.S. records in 2000 and has risen steadily, reaching a rank of 3,712 in 2025, when about 1 in 40,182 girls received the name. Its peak year so far was 2023. The name is most popular in North Carolina and California, suggesting a modern, creative spelling that appeals to parents seeking a distinctive yet familiar sound. Derived from the mythological Rhea, Rheya fits a trend of soft vowel-starting names ending in 'a.' Its trajectory indicates continued growth, though it remains uncommon enough to feel unique.
Rheya is a modern English respelling or variant of Rhea, a name from Greek mythology. Rhea was a Titaness, daughter of Uranus and Gaia, and mother of the Olympian gods. The name Rhea is of uncertain etymology, possibly deriving from Greek ῥέω (rheo) meaning "to flow" or "ease." The spelling Rheya gained visibility in the late 20th century, possibly influenced by the popularity of similar-sounding names like Maya or Thea.
Where Rheya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Rhe, Rhey
Sibling names for Rheya
Names that share Rheya's style, for a brother or sister.
