Rising since 1989, #1,518 for girls today.
Popularity of Rya since 1971
Babies named Rya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1970s | 30 |
| 1980s | 38 |
| 1990s | 114 |
| 2000s | 370 |
| 2010s | 555 |
| 2020s | 802 |
Meaning & origin
Rya is a modern feminine name that first entered U.S. records in 1971. Its origin is uncertain, though it likely derives from the Irish surname Ryan or is a creative respelling of the Greek name Rhea. The name has been steadily rising in popularity since 1989, reaching rank 1518 by 2025, when approximately 1 in every 11480 girls received the name. Its peak year was 2024, and it is most common in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Arizona. As a contemporary coinage, Rya appeals to parents seeking a short, vowel-ending name with a soft sound, fitting trends for names like Nova and Maya.
Rya is a modern coinage, likely a feminine variant of the Irish surname Ryan or a creative respelling of Rhea, the name of a Greek Titaness. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1971 and has been rising in popularity since 1989. Its meaning is not fixed, as it is a relatively recent invention.
Where Rya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Ryah
Sibling names for Rya
Names that share Rya's style, for a brother or sister.
