NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Nia

A feminine name of Celtic origin, meaning "bright" or "shining".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Nia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Nia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #328, with 131 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 206 births.

This profile covers 4,640 England and Wales registrations across 29 recorded years from 1996 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, NRS Scotland and NISRA Northern Ireland, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 64% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 4,850 living people in the UK are called Nia. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Nia ranked #328 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 131 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2008, when 206 girls were registered as Nia.
  • Nia ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.
  • About 4,850 living people in the UK are estimated to have Nia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#328

2024

Births in 2024

131

Latest year

Peak year

2008

206 births

Estimated living

4,850

2026

Meaning

What does Nia mean?

The name Nia originates from the Welsh language and culture, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. Derived from the Welsh word "nien," meaning "bright" or "shining," the name reflects the radiant qualities associated with its bearers.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Nia can be found in the 13th-century Welsh manuscript, the "Black Book of Carmarthen," where it appears as a variant spelling of the name "Nien." This ancient text, a compilation of Welsh poetry, provides insight into the linguistic and cultural significance of the name during that era.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Nia. In the 16th century, Nia Ferch Gruffydd, a Welsh noblewoman and landowner, played a significant role in preserving the Welsh language and culture. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of Welsh people.

Another prominent figure bearing the name Nia was Nia Gwynne, a 17th-century Welsh poet and writer. Her poetic works, which celebrated the beauty of the Welsh landscape and the resilience of the Welsh people, have left an indelible mark on the country's literary tradition.

In the realm of sports, Nia Sanderson, a British gymnast born in 1985, achieved notable success, representing Great Britain at the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. Her athletic prowess and dedication to her craft have made her a role model for aspiring gymnasts worldwide.

Nia Peeples, an American actress and singer born in 1961, has also contributed to the cultural landscape. Known for her roles in various television series and films, she has left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry, showcasing her versatility as a performer.

The name Nia has also found its way into the world of literature, with Nia Kuniak, a contemporary Canadian author born in 1989. Her works, which explore themes of identity, culture, and belonging, have garnered critical acclaim and resonated with readers across the globe.

While the name Nia has its roots in the Welsh language and culture, it has transcended geographical boundaries and gained popularity in various parts of the world, each bearer adding their unique story and accomplishments to the rich tapestry of this name's legacy.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Nia over time

The chart below shows babies named Nia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1996 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Nia, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 131 births in 2024, compared with 206 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Nia
052103155206199620102024

Decades

Nia by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Nia was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #307 740 5
2010s #302 1,587 10
2000s #249 1,806 10
1990s #293 507 4

Geography

Where Nia is most common

The bars show the latest published local birth counts for Nia. They are useful for spotting where the name is showing up in real numbers, while the rank beside each bar shows how strongly it performs inside that region.

Nia ranks best in Northern Ireland in the latest published regional snapshot for that area, where it placed #407 in 2024.

Scotland
5
Northern Ireland
3

Across the UK

Nia in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland (NRS)

#541 in 2024

26 years of NRS records, 162 total registered

Northern Ireland (NISRA)

#407 in 2024

17 years of NISRA records, 74 total registered

Notable bearers

Famous people named Nia

  • Nia Wedderburn-Goodison

    athletics competitor

    British sprinter

    2005-

  • Nia Christopher

    association football player

    Bermudian footballer

    2001-

  • Nia Smith

    singer-songwriter; musician

    soul musician

    2000-

  • Nia Archives

    disc jockey; DJ producer

    English record producer, DJ and songwriter

    1999-

  • Nia Jones

    association football player; netballer

    Welsh association football and netball player

    1992-

  • Nia Towle

    actor

    English actress

    1990-

  • Nia Parry

    television producer; radio personality; television presenter; language teacher

    Welsh television and radio presenter

    1973-

  • Nia Roberts

    actor

    Welsh actress

    1972-

Related

Names similar to Nia

FAQ

Nia: questions and answers

How popular is the name Nia in the UK right now?

In 2024, Nia was ranked #328 for girls in England and Wales, with 131 births registered.

When was Nia most popular?

The peak year on record was 2008, with 206 babies registered as Nia in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Nia?

A feminine name of Celtic origin, meaning "bright" or "shining".

How many people are called Nia in the UK?

A total of 4,640 babies have been registered as Nia across the 29 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here, plus 162 more in Scotland and 74 in Northern Ireland.

Where is Nia most common?

In the latest published local rankings, Nia ranks best in Northern Ireland, where it placed #407 in 2024. The regional bars on this page use birth counts, so they also reflect the size of each region.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.