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Nya

Girl name · 11 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Nya: 11 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 4 births in 2023.

Nya is a name with global roots, most commonly considered a short form or variant of Niamh, the classic Irish name meaning "bright" or "radiant." It also resonates with the Swahili word for "purpose" and the Japanese word for "beautiful night," giving it a wonderfully multicultural feel. While there are few globally famous bearers, the name gained visibility through the character Nya, the element of water and the only girl ninja in the long-running Lego Ninjago franchise. This pop-culture link has made the name especially popular among young Scottish families in recent years. In Scotland, Nya has charted steadily since the early 2000s, often chosen by parents who love the lyrical sound of Niamh but prefer a spelling that feels more intuitive in English.