Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Toya
GirlAmerican (modern coinage), Spanish· “short form of Latoya”
- Meaning
- short form of Latoya (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage), Spanish
- Pronunciation
- TOY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #674 (1976)
- Peak year
- 1976
Meaning and origin of Toya
Toya is often said to mean “short form of Latoya”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Spanish roots.
Toya is a short form of Latoya, an American name that joins La- with Toya. Toya itself is sometimes explained as a pet form of Victoria, meaning victory, in Spanish, but that link is uncertain. Toya is also a word in some languages, including Japanese, where it is a place and family name. Because the name has several possible sources, its meaning is uncertain. It is said TOY-uh. The name is short and cheerful, and it can stand alone or serve as the everyday form of Latoya.
Popularity over time
Toya first appears in US Social Security records in 1932. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 9 different years, starting in 1970. Its best national rank was #674 in 1976, the same year it reached its highest count of 227 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #3,405 in 1950, #1,048 in 1980, #17,458 in 2000, and #14,840 in 2010. Of the 3,969 US girls named Toya since records began, 46% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1980s come next, with 867 babies. Since 2010, 13 more have been named Toya.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Trish, Tawanna, Shawnte, Khalilah, and Spring.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Toya is usually pronounced TOY-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with T and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Toya
A few middle names that flow with Toya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Toya
Similar names
Latoya Girl
luh-TOY-uh
“blend of La- and Toya” · American (modern coinage)
#11,486
Mireya Girl
mee-REH-yuh
“uncertain; possibly to admire” · Spanish
#1,147
Taniya Girl
tuh-NY-uh
“modern form of Tania” · American (modern coinage)
#5,890
Aniya Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern name, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#1,071
Alaya Girl
uh-LAY-uh
“uncertain; possibly Sanskrit for abode” · American (modern coinage)
#368
Ariya Girl
AR-ee-uh
“variant of Aria; possibly noble” · American (modern coinage)
#615
Amiya Girl
uh-MY-uh
“uncertain; often linked to nectar” · American (modern coinage)
#1,809
Zendaya Girl
zen-DAY-uh
“uncertain; said to mean give thanks” · American (modern coinage)
#1,189
Cierra Girl
see-AIR-uh
“mountain range; variant of Sierra” · American (modern coinage)
#2,727
Sariya Girl
sah-REE-yuh
“modern name, meaning uncertain” · Arabic
#2,508
Tiera Girl
tee-EHR-uh
“variant of Tierra or Tiara” · American (modern coinage)
#17,053
Sonya Girl
SOHN-yuh
“wisdom” · Russian
#1,939
Lists that include Toya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Toya mean?
Toya is often said to mean “short form of Latoya”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) and Spanish roots.
What is the origin of the name Toya?
Toya has modern American and Spanish roots. Toya is a short form of Latoya, an American name that joins La- with Toya.
Is Toya a popular name?
No. Toya was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Toya a boy or girl name?
Toya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Toya?
Toya is usually pronounced TOY-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