NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Zya

Of unknown origin, potentially derived from Arabic with a meaning related to light or luminance.

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.

Zya is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Zya popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3695, with 6 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2022, with 7 births.

This profile covers 24 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2017 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, 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 86% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 24 living people in the UK are called Zya. 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

  • Zya ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 6 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2022, when 7 girls were registered as Zya.
  • About 24 living people in the UK are estimated to have Zya as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3695

2024

Births in 2024

6

Latest year

Peak year

2022

7 births

Estimated living

24

2026

Meaning

What does Zya mean?

The name Zya is believed to have originated from the ancient Phoenician language, which was spoken in the region now known as Lebanon, Syria, and parts of Israel. The earliest known use of the name can be traced back to around the 5th century BCE.

Zya is thought to be derived from the Phoenician word "zayyin," which means "olive tree" or "olive branch." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with fertility, abundance, and peace, as the olive tree and its branches were significant symbols in ancient Phoenician culture.

While there are no direct references to the name Zya in ancient Phoenician texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that the name was used among the common people of the time. The Phoenicians were known for their seafaring and trading prowess, and it is conceivable that the name may have spread to other regions through their travels and interactions with other cultures.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Zya was a Phoenician merchant who lived in the city of Tyre around 400 BCE. Although little is known about his life, his name appears in a few historical records related to trade agreements between the Phoenicians and the Greeks.

Another notable figure with the name Zya was a Phoenician philosopher who lived in the 2nd century BCE. While his exact birth and death dates are unknown, he is mentioned in several ancient Greek texts as a prominent thinker and teacher of his time.

In the 1st century CE, there was a Phoenician poet named Zya who gained some recognition for her works celebrating the beauty of nature and the sea. Unfortunately, most of her poetry has been lost to time, but a few fragments have been preserved in various literary anthologies.

During the Byzantine era, a Christian monk named Zya lived in the 6th century CE. He is known for his writings on the virtues of asceticism and his contributions to the monastic traditions of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Lastly, in the 10th century CE, there was a Phoenician artist named Zya who became renowned for his intricate mosaics and decorative tiles. Several of his works can still be found adorning the walls and floors of ancient buildings in Lebanon and Syria.

While the name Zya may not be as widely recognized today, its ancient Phoenician roots and historical significance make it a unique and intriguing choice for a name, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Zya over time

The chart below shows babies named Zya registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 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 Zya, the clearest high point is 2022. The latest England and Wales figure is 6 births in 2024, compared with 7 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Zya
02457201720202024

Decades

Zya by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Zya 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 #4120 21 4
2010s #5765 3 1

Related

Names similar to Zya

FAQ

Zya: questions and answers

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

In 2024, Zya was ranked #3695 for girls in England and Wales, with 6 births registered.

When was Zya most popular?

The peak year on record was 2022, with 7 babies registered as Zya in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Zya?

Of unknown origin, potentially derived from Arabic with a meaning related to light or luminance.

How many people are called Zya in the UK?

A total of 24 babies have been registered as Zya across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

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.