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Jiya

Girl name · 3 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Jiya: 3 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 3 births in 2014.

Jiya is a name of Sanskrit origin, meaning “life” or “to live,” and is a common choice in Hindi and other Indian languages, where it’s often used as a term of endearment. Famous bearers include Jiya Shankar, an Indian television actress, and Jiya Mustafa, a Pakistani journalist. The name doesn’t have direct Scottish place connections, but it shares its root with the word “jīva,” central to the concept of the soul in Indian philosophies. In Scotland, Jiya has seen growing popularity since the 2000s, reflecting the nation’s multicultural community, and it’s sometimes used as a variant of the more familiar “Jia,” though Jiya itself stands out for its gentle, uplifting meaning.