Zia is a name of Persian origin and it means "light" or "shining". It has been used in Iran for centuries and it's also popular among other Muslim communities around the world. The name Zia has historical significance as well, as it was borne by several notable figures throughout history. For instance, Zia ud din Taba was a 13th-century poet and scholar from the Indian subcontinent, while the 20th-century Iranian poet Ahmad Shamlou also went by the pen name Zia. Today, Zia continues to be a popular choice for parents looking for a unique yet meaningful name for their child.
The name Zia has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past few decades in the United States, with a total of 298 babies being named Zia between 1985 and 2023.
Initially, the name was relatively uncommon, with only five births recorded each year in both 1985 and 1986. However, it started to gain traction in the mid-1990s, with seven births recorded in 1994 and six births in both 1996 and 2000.
The early 2000s saw a slight dip in popularity, with five births each year between 2001 and 2004. However, the name began to pick up momentum again around 2007, with nine births that year alone.
Since then, Zia has consistently remained one of the more popular names for newborn girls in the United States. Between 2008 and 2023, there have been at least eight births each year, with peaks of 16 births in both 2011 and 2012, and a record-high of 22 births in 2022.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate the growing popularity of the name Zia over time. While it may not have been a top choice for parents in the late 1980s and early 1990s, its increasing frequency in recent years suggests that many families today consider Zia to be an appealing option for their daughters' names.