Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Zaya
GirlAmerican (modern coinage)· “uncertain; modern name”
- Meaning
- uncertain; modern name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- American (modern coinage)
- Pronunciation
- ZY-uh
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,317
- US babies 2025
- 170
- Best rank
- #1,167 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2023
Meaning and origin of Zaya
Zaya is often said to mean “uncertain; modern name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
A recent arrival among American names, Zaya has no settled origin. It has been linked to several sources, including a Mongolian word for fate or destiny and a short form of names like Zayana, but none of these connections is confirmed. It has a bright, bold sound with a strong Z start and a soft vowel ending. The name fits alongside names like Maya and Kaya. It suits parents who like short, contemporary names with an international feel.
Popularity over time
Zaya first appears in US Social Security records in 1994. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,167 in 2023, the same year it reached its highest count of 207 babies. In 2025, 170 babies were named Zaya, and it ranked #1,317 nationally. That is 91% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,702 in 2000, #3,813 in 2010, and #1,317 in 2025. Of the 2,532 US girls named Zaya since records began, 49% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 1,042 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Wrenly, Isha, Alba, Xolani, and Arizbeth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zaya ranked highest in Massachusetts, Utah, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #562 | 10 |
| Utah | #832 | 5 |
| Florida | #911 | 18 |
| California | #1051 | 26 |
| Arizona | #1210 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 98% of US babies named Zaya over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Zaya is usually pronounced ZY-uh, with one syllable. It has four letters, starts with Z and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Zaya
A few middle names that flow with Zaya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zaya
Similar names
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
Niya Girl
NY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#2,807
Mya Girl
MY-uh
“variant of Maya or Mia” · American (modern coinage)
#444
Kaiya Girl
KY-uh
“uncertain; modern name” · American (modern coinage)
#994
Aniya Girl
uh-NY-uh
“modern name, possibly from Anya” · American (modern coinage)
#1,071
Amiya Girl
uh-MY-uh
“uncertain; often linked to nectar” · American (modern coinage)
#1,809
Riya Girl
REE-yuh
“uncertain; Indian name” · Hindi
#1,546
Diya Girl
DEE-yuh
“lamp” · Hindi
#1,714
Zoya Girl
ZOY-uh
“life” · Russian
#1,002
Lists that include Zaya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zaya mean?
Zaya is often said to mean “uncertain; modern name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to American (modern coinage) roots.
What is the origin of the name Zaya?
Zaya has modern American roots. A recent arrival among American names, Zaya has no settled origin.
Is Zaya a popular name?
Not especially. Zaya ranked #1,317 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zaya a boy or girl name?
Zaya is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Zaya over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Zaya?
Zaya is usually pronounced ZY-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