Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Gaia
GirlGreek, Italian· “earth”
- Meaning
- earth
- Origin
- Greek, Italian
- Pronunciation
- GY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,392
- US babies 2025
- 157
- Best rank
- #1,122 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Gaia
Gaia is a Greek and Italian name that means “earth”.
In Greek mythology Gaia is the primordial goddess of the earth, mother of the Titans and one of the first beings to emerge at the beginning of creation. Her name is the Greek word for earth or land. In modern times the name gained a scientific echo through the Gaia hypothesis, which describes the Earth as a self-regulating system. Gaia is also a well-established given name in Italy, where it is often spelled the same way and pronounced GUY-ah. In English it is usually said GUY-uh or GAY-uh. The name suits parents who want something short, mythological and closely tied to the natural world.
Popularity over time
Gaia first appears in US Social Security records in 1980. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,122 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 219 babies. In 2025, 157 babies were named Gaia, and it ranked #1,392 nationally. That is 71% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #9,456 in 1980, #7,726 in 2000, #3,588 in 2010, and #1,392 in 2025. Of the 2,434 US girls named Gaia since records began, 47% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 836 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Vivianna, Sunnie, Avyanna, Imogen, and Xochitl.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Gaia ranked highest in Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #581 | 9 |
| New York | #711 | 23 |
| Virginia | #794 | 9 |
| Florida | #927 | 17 |
| California | #1096 | 24 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Gaia is usually pronounced GY-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with G and ends in “-ia”.
Middle names for Gaia
A few middle names that flow with Gaia: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Gaia
Similar names
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Lucia Girl
loo-SEE-uh
“light” · Latin
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Georgia Girl
JOR-juh
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Lia Girl
LEE-uh
“short form of names like Amelia” · Italian
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Dahlia Girl
DAL-yuh
“the dahlia flower” · Swedish
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Cynthia Girl
SIHN-thee-uh
“woman from Mount Kynthos” · Greek
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Lists that include Gaia
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Gaia mean?
Gaia is a Greek and Italian name that means “earth”.
What is the origin of the name Gaia?
Gaia has Greek and Italian roots. In Greek mythology Gaia is the primordial goddess of the earth, mother of the Titans and one of the first beings to emerge at the beginning of creation.
Is Gaia a popular name?
Not especially. Gaia ranked #1,392 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Gaia a boy or girl name?
Gaia is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Gaia?
Gaia is usually pronounced GY-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings