nia

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Origin, Meaning And History Of Nia

Nia primarily originates from Swahili, a native language spoken by inhabitants across Tanzania and Africa. In this language, Nia means ‘goal,’ ‘determination,’ and ‘purpose.’ However, Nia has another perspective of Celtic origin. According to this perspective, Nia is a rich Welsh form of the old Irish word ‘Niamh.’ The word is pronounced as ‘Nee-av,’ which means ‘brightness,’ ‘luminous,’ and ‘radiance.’ In Irish mythology, Niamh Cinn Oir, meaning ‘Niamh of the Golden Hair,’ was believed to be the fairy lady, the sole carrier of light and radiance among the Irish inhabitants. Similarly, in Hebrew theology, Nia refers to a ‘female champion.’

On the other hand, the Greek etymology says that Nia refers to the concept of ‘priceless.’ It is also noted that Nia is a short form of Eugenia or ‘Evgenia,’ the Bulgarian name that explains the Greek meaning of nobility. Furthermore, in Setswana, Nia stands for ‘luck.’ Thus, Nia is a name that encompasses an Afro-American substantial essence, making it a brilliant choice for the name of a girl child. In English, the name is also used as a short form for names like Antonia and Sidonia.

This interesting name has also appeared in the entertainment industry. DC Comics found it alluring and used it for the prime characterNia Nalin the Arrowverse TV series Supergirl. The name was also used in the manga series Beyblade Burst asNia Ibuki．此外,动漫系列Tengen Topp的a Gurren Lagann hasNia Teppelinas one of its female protagonists. Furthermore, the 2D animated series The Bravest Knight has its lead character Nia, a ten-year-old girl. Moreover, Nia has been portrayed as the perfect blend of bravery and wisdom in the graphic illustration Empire of Angels Lunar Phantom. Welsh poet T Gwynn Jones uses the name Nia to refer to Oisin’s lover in his 1916 poemTir na n-Óg．

Nia

Meaning Goal; Determination; Purpose

Gender Girl

Religion Judaism

Origin Celtic

Lucky Number 6

Syllables Two

Length 1 word, 3 letters, 2 vowels, 1 consonant

Type Short and easy to pronounce

How To Pronounce Nia?

Nia On The Popularity Chart

Nia has risen in popularity since the 1980s. Take a look at the given charts to get a better idea of its popularity over the years.

Popularity Over Time

The name started rising in popularity from the 1990s. It peaked in 2000 with 1033 babies per million getting the name. Check out the graph below.

Rank Over Time

Nia was at its peak during the early 2000s. Since then it has gone down slightly in ranking. The following chart shows its ranking over time.

Names With Similar Sound As Nia

There are many names that sound similar to Nia. Listed below are some alternatives to the name.

Na Naadhira Naadia Naadira Nanak Narain Nareena Narinder Navkiran Nevanthi

Popular Sibling Names For Nia

If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Nia, check our suggestions here.

Boy Sibling Names For Nia

Find matching brother names for Nia and create a wonderful team of siblings.

Naal Nevan Nevyn Nial Niall Nil Nisien Nolen Nyle Nyles

Girl Sibling Names For Nia

Looking for some suitable sister names for Nia? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.

Na Naadhira Naadia Naadira Naadiya Naaheed Naaila Naaja Naajia Naajidah

Other Popular Names Beginning With N

Looking for more baby names starting with the letter N to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.

Na Naadhira Naadia Naadira Naadiya Naaheed Naaila Naaja Naajia Naajidah

Names With Similar Meaning As Nia

In case you are looking for names that have the same meaning as Nia, take a look at the suggestions below.

Na Naama Naamah Naami Naana Naenia Nahia Naia Naimi Nain

Infographic: Know The Name Nia‘s Personality As Per Numerology

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How To Communicate The Name Nia In Other Languages

In Nautical Flags

nia

In Sign Language

nia

In Braille Alphabet

nia

In Morse Code

nia

Name Numerology For Nia

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the meaning of the name Nia?

The name Nia means ‘goal,’ ‘determination,’ or ‘luminous.’

2. What is the origin of the name Nia?

Nia has Swahili and Celtic origins.

3. How to pronounce the name Nia?

Nia is pronounced as nee-uh.

4. Is Nia a rare name?

Although the name carries a contemporary vibe, Nia is not considered a rare name. It has gained popularity since the late 20th century and has become a notable choice for parents. Furthermore, it has been listed among the top 1000 US names for girls in the US since 1974 (1).

5. What are some middle name options that go well with the name Nia?

Nia means luminous, and while selecting a middle name for Nia, considering names with similar meanings, such asHalo,Luminosa,Rita, or Nauwara, would be a unique and meaningful approach. Alternatively, names rhyming with Nia, such asSabia,meaning ‘sweet,’ and Aventia, meaning ‘spring,’ could also make pleasant combinations with Nia.

6. Is Nia a unisex name or primarily used for girls?

Nia is primarily used as a feminine name. It is more commonly given to girls worldwide. According to SSA, 600 girls were given the name in the US in 2022 (1).

References:

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in oureditorial policy．

1. Popularity of name Nia.
   https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

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Akshay NairMA

Akshay is an associate editor and former journalist with more than four years of experience. A post graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism, he has strong professional and academic background in the field of content writing and editing. He is also a Certified Relationship Workshop Facilitator for Life Coaches. Akshay interned and worked with various newspapers and the Public Relations...more