Nia
Nia is a girls' name of African origin meaning “purpose, intention.” It ranked #702 in the United States in 2025. Nia is a Swahili name meaning 'purpose' and represents one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
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how do you pronounce Nia?
NEE-ah
where does the name Nia come from?
In Swahili, nia means purpose, and Nia is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. It is also a Welsh form of the Irish Niamh.
It also has Welsh roots meaning 'brightness.' Its simplicity and cross-cultural appeal have made it popular worldwide.
how popular is this name?
Nia has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 39 years since 1974, and fell outside it for 13. It peaked at #307 in 2000, and ranked #702 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #702 |
| 2024 | #671 |
| 2023 | #637 |
| 2022 | #603 |
| 2021 | #578 |
| 2020 | #494 |
| 2019 | #500 |
| 2018 | #472 |
| 2017 | #494 |
| 2016 | #438 |
| 2010 | #469 |
| 2000 | #307 |
| 1990 | #859 |
| 1974 | #672 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Nia fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Nia?
- Nia Long (American actress)
- Nia Jax (professional wrestler)
- Nia Vardalos (Canadian-American actress)
what names are similar to Nia?
what names go well with Nia?
Sibling names that share Nia's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Nia
What does the name Nia mean?
Nia means “purpose, intention”.
What is the origin of the name Nia?
Nia comes from the African naming tradition.
How popular is the name Nia?
Nia ranked #702 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2000, at #307, and it has spent 39 years in the top 1,000 since 1974.
Is Nia a boy or girl name?
Nia is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Nia?
Nia is pronounced NEE-ah, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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