Nia

Meaning of Nia

Nia means "purpose" or "intention."

Nia has Swahili roots — browse every Swahili baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Nia

Nia has cooled off, slipping to #702 in 2025, down from a peak of #307 in 2000.

Notable people named Nia

• Nia Long
  Actress in film and television
• Nia Vardalos
  Actress and screenwriter
• Nia Sioux
  Dancer and television personality
• Nia Franklin
  Miss America 2019
• Nia Ali
  Olympic track and field athlete

More Swahili names

Questions about the name Nia

What does the name Nia mean?

Nia means nia means "purpose" or "intention.", and it comes from Swahili origins.

Is Nia a boy's or a girl's name?

Nia is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Nia?

In 2025, Nia ranked #702 for girls, down from #672 the year before.

When was Nia most popular?

Nia peaked at #307 in 2000.