Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mya
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “variant of Maya or Mia”
- Meaning
- variant of Maya or Mia
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- MY-uh
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #444
- US babies 2025
- 697
- Best rank
- #97 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Mya
Mya is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “variant of Maya or Mia”.
Mya is a modern spelling that sits between Maya and Mia, and it can be seen as a variant of either. Maya has several separate sources, including Sanskrit, where it relates to illusion, and the Greek Maia, mother of Hermes. Mia began as a Scandinavian and Italian short form of Maria. Because Mya is best understood as a sound-based spelling, it does not carry one fixed meaning of its own. The singer Mýa helped make the spelling familiar in the United States. The name is short, soft and simple to say, and it pairs easily with longer middle names.
Popularity over time
Mya first appears in US Social Security records in 1954. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 29 different years, starting in 1997. Its best national rank was #97 in 2009, the same year it reached its highest count of 3,415 babies. In 2025, 697 babies were named Mya, and it ranked #444 nationally. That is 68% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,453 in 1980, #175 in 2000, #101 in 2010, and #444 in 2025. Of the 62,305 US girls named Mya since records began, 46% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 22,377 babies. Since 2010, 28,306 more have been named Mya.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Payton, Rylee, Lilly, Jordyn, and Miley.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mya ranked highest in North Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #184 | 6 |
| Iowa | #218 | 16 |
| Minnesota | #240 | 24 |
| Maine | #248 | 5 |
| Wisconsin | #264 | 21 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mya is usually pronounced MY-uh, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with M and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Mya
A few middle names that flow with Mya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mya
Similar names
Kaiya Girl
KY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#994
Miya Girl
MEE-yuh
“shrine, temple (Japanese); form of Mia” · Japanese
#1,681
Kya Girl
KY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#1,237
Nya Girl
NY-uh
“modern name; uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#2,767
Reya Girl
RAY-uh
“modern name of uncertain origin” · American (modern coinage)
#1,003
Zaya Girl
ZY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#1,317
Niya Girl
NY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#2,807
Cataleya Girl
kat-uh-LAY-uh
“from the cattleya orchid” · American (modern coinage)
#238
Alaya Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“uncertain; possibly Sanskrit for abode” · American (modern coinage)
#368
Chaya Girl
HY-uh
“life” · Hebrew
#588
Ariya Girl
AR-ee-uh
“variant of Aria; possibly noble” · American (modern coinage)
#615
Aya Girl
AH-yuh
“sign, miracle” · Arabic
#644
Lists that include Mya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mya mean?
Mya is an American (modern coinage) name that is usually said to mean “variant of Maya or Mia”.
What is the origin of the name Mya?
Mya has modern American roots. Mya is a modern spelling that sits between Maya and Mia, and it can be seen as a variant of either.
Is Mya a popular name?
Yes. Mya ranked #444 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mya a boy or girl name?
Mya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mya?
Mya is usually pronounced MY-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