Fun Facts About the Name Priya
- More than 6 thousand babies named Priya: U.S. records list 6,560 babies given the name Priya from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Priya Mean?
Priya is a feminine given name from Sanskrit. It comes from the Sanskrit adjective priya, meaning "dear, beloved, or pleasing," and its feminine form priyā. The word is related to the root prī-, "to please or love." In Sanskrit, priya can describe a person or thing that is dear or agreeable; the feminine priyā can mean a beloved woman or wife. The name keeps this literal sense of "beloved" or "dear one."
Priya Name History & Origins
Priya developed as a given name from the Sanskrit word priyā, the feminine form of the adjective priya. In Sanskrit, the word belonged to ordinary vocabulary and also appeared in classical literature. As Sanskrit influenced the languages of India, the name took root in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, and other Indian language communities, with slight differences in pronunciation.
In modern use, Priya is chiefly a feminine name in India and among Indian communities abroad. It is also an element in compound names such as Priyanka, Priyadarshini, and Priyamvada, where priya- keeps the sense "dear" or "beloved." Its development is tied to the continuing use of Sanskrit-derived vocabulary in South Asian naming.
How Popular is the Name Priya?
Priya has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2014. Its best rank was #1,107 in 2001.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #1,956 | 99 | 0.0062% |
| 2024 | #1,857 | 108 | 0.0067% |
| 2023 | #1,678 | 124 | 0.0077% |
| 2022 | #1,702 | 123 | 0.0075% |
| 2021 | #1,717 | 121 | 0.0074% |
| 2020 | #1,663 | 124 | 0.0077% |
| 2019 | #1,624 | 131 | 0.0078% |
| 2018 | #1,638 | 130 | 0.0076% |
| 2017 | #1,560 | 141 | 0.0082% |
| 2016 | #1,410 | 165 | 0.0093% |
| 2015 | #1,383 | 171 | 0.0096% |
| 2014 | #1,168 | 211 | 0.0118% |
| 2013 | #1,177 | 205 | 0.0117% |
| 2012 | #1,306 | 181 | 0.0103% |
| 2011 | #1,496 | 150 | 0.0085% |
| 2010 | #1,399 | 165 | 0.0093% |
| 2009 | #1,527 | 149 | 0.0081% |
| 2008 | #1,285 | 194 | 0.0103% |
| 2007 | #1,380 | 176 | 0.0092% |
| 2006 | #1,305 | 180 | 0.0095% |
| 2005 | #1,304 | 171 | 0.0093% |
| 2004 | #1,323 | 162 | 0.0088% |
| 2003 | #1,153 | 188 | 0.0103% |
| 2002 | #1,212 | 167 | 0.0093% |
| 2001 | #1,107 | 192 | 0.0107% |
| 2000 | #1,202 | 166 | 0.0091% |
| 1999 | #1,195 | 162 | 0.0091% |
| 1998 | #1,204 | 154 | 0.0087% |
| 1997 | #1,259 | 142 | 0.0082% |
| 1996 | #1,137 | 160 | 0.0091% |
| 1995 | #1,208 | 143 | 0.0081% |
| 1994 | #1,399 | 116 | 0.0065% |
| 1993 | #1,502 | 106 | 0.0059% |
| 1992 | #1,262 | 136 | 0.0074% |
| 1991 | #1,313 | 127 | 0.0068% |
| 1990 | #1,582 | 96 | 0.0051% |
| 1989 | #1,451 | 102 | 0.0055% |
| 1988 | #1,403 | 100 | 0.0056% |
| 1987 | #1,402 | 96 | 0.0055% |
| 1986 | #1,336 | 99 | 0.0058% |
| 1985 | #1,517 | 81 | 0.0047% |
| 1984 | #1,495 | 77 | 0.0046% |
| 1983 | #1,686 | 66 | 0.0040% |
| 1982 | #1,580 | 75 | 0.0044% |
| 1981 | #1,781 | 63 | 0.0038% |
| 1980 | #2,115 | 49 | 0.0030% |
| 1979 | #1,656 | 68 | 0.0042% |
| 1978 | #2,419 | 37 | 0.0024% |
| 1977 | #2,545 | 34 | 0.0022% |
| 1976 | #2,981 | 25 | 0.0017% |
| 1975 | #2,313 | 36 | 0.0025% |
| 1974 | #2,052 | 41 | 0.0028% |
| 1973 | #3,593 | 18 | 0.0012% |
| 1972 | #3,249 | 20 | 0.0013% |
| 1971 | #4,077 | 15 | 0.0009% |
| 1970 | #4,190 | 14 | 0.0008% |
| 1969 | #5,839 | 8 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Priya Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have a power of expression, either in speaking or writing. You are in favor for studying and research. You are clever, clear-sighted and intellectual. You don't like to let others know your true feelings. You might be atheistic or agnostic. You are intuitive and might be interested in the arts, drama or science.
You find the best contentment in life when you own your own home and provide well for your family and loved ones. You have a great sense of responsibility and duty. You are comforting, appreciative and affectionate. Your obligation in life is to hold justice and truth, and if you follow the Law, you can find the great happiness and satisfaction.
✦ Priya's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Priya's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.