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Naya

Girl name · 43 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Naya: 43 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 10 births in 2021.

Naya is a name with multiple melodic origins, most commonly traced to the Hebrew and Aramaic “Naya” meaning “God’s gift” or “new,” or as a variant of the Gaelic “Niamh,” meaning “bright” or “radiant.” In Arabic, it can also mean “goal” or “purpose.” Famous bearers include Japanese pop singer Naya, part of the duo m-flo, and American actress Naya Rivera, beloved for her role as Santana Lopez on *Glee*. There are no major places named after a bearer, but the name shares a root with the ancient city of Niani, once the capital of the Mali Empire. Today, Naya often appears as a modern, cross-cultural choice, especially popular in Scotland since the 2000s, where it’s sometimes considered a fresh spin on the traditional Niamh.