Rising since 1999, #1,927 for girls today.
Popularity of Ziya since 1999
Babies named Ziya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 11 |
| 2000s | 309 |
| 2010s | 767 |
| 2020s | 741 |
Meaning & origin
Ziya entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1999 and has been on a steady rise, reflecting a growing appreciation for Arabic-derived names with luminous meanings. In 2025 it ranked 1927, with about 1 in 16,073 girls receiving the name, following a peak in 2022. Its trajectory has been upward since its debut, and it has found particular favor in states like Arizona, Georgia, and New Jersey. The name's etymology ties it to the Arabic word for light, making it a poetic choice that crosses cultural boundaries.
Ziya derives from Arabic ضياء (ḍiyā'), meaning 'light', 'splendor', or 'radiance'. As a given name, it has been used in Arabic-speaking and Muslim-majority regions, often as a feminine name. In recent decades it has gained popularity in Western countries, in part due to its melodic sound and positive meaning.
Where Ziya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Ziya” around the world
Where Ziya lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Zizi, Zee
Sibling names for Ziya
Names that share Ziya's style, for a brother or sister.
