Daya

“Compassion or kindness.” — Associated with a caring personality

India origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#3655US 2023

42Births / yr

↑Rising

721All-time births

📅 Since 196400

How to pronounce Daya

DEYE·uh

/ˈdaɪ.ə/ · stress on DEYE · 2 syllables

“Compassion or kindness.”

Associated with a caring personality · India origin

What does Daya mean and where does it come from?

Daya is derived from Hindi and Sanskrit, meaning 'compassion' or 'kindness'. The name is widely used in India and has gained popularity in the United States due to the growing engagement with Indian culture. It reflects positive qualities and is often associated with a caring personality. Notable pe

Cultural significance

Daya has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in India-speaking communities, where it reflects values of compassion or kindness..

Peak popularity

Reached #3105 in 2018 — currently #3655 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Daya?

Daya works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Daya Grace

How popular is Daya right now?

Rising fast — up 1039 spots — currently #3655 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1980–2023#3655 · Top 2.7%

1980

1985

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#3655	42	▲ up 1039 · +45% births
2022	#4694	29	▼ down 1342 · -38% births
2021	#3352	47	▲ up 802 · +42% births
2020	#4154	33	▼ down 490 · -21% births
2015	#3664	42	▲ up 3322 · +133% births
2010	#6986	18	▼ down 933 · -10% births
2005	#6053	20	▼ down 22 · +11% births
2000	#6031	18	▲ up 3782 · +200% births
1985	#9813	6	▼ down 2035 · -25% births
1980	#7778	8	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Daya

Best Year2021Rank #3352

Peak Count47

Average Rank#5618

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1980 - 202310 years

The story of Daya

Daya is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1964. With 721 total births recorded, Daya remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #7778 in 1980 to #3655 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Daya in 2018:

Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia

Daya by decade

Daya peaked in the 2010s. See all 2010s names →

Decade	Births
1960s	5
1970s	33
1980s	36
1990s	63
2000s	218
2010s ★	333
2020s	33

💎Daya has only 721 total recorded births since 1964 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Daya?

Common

DayDayieDayy

What names sound and feel like Daya?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Daya also consider these

Jaya

India · victory, conquest

Hebrew · friend, companion

Dayra

Spain · Noble; beautiful

Common questions about the name Daya

What does the name Daya mean?

Daya means "Compassion or kindness." — a name rooted in India tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Daya?

Daya is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Daya have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Daya?

Daya originates from India tradition. India names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Daya?

Daya is a two-syllable name pronounced D AY1 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

Is Daya trending right now?

Daya is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.