Nyota

“Star” — Symbolizes light and guidance

Swahili origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#8367US 2023

13Births / yr

↑Rising

49All-time births

📅 Since 197500

What does Nyota mean and where does it come from?

Originating from Swahili, the name Nyota means 'star'. It symbolizes light and guidance, often associated with hope and inspiration. The name gained popularity through its use in African cultures and was brought into broader recognition by character names in media, such as Nyota Uhura from the Star

Cultural significance

Nyota has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Swahili-speaking communities, where it reflects values of star.

Peak popularity

Reached #6841 in 1977 — currently #8367 in the US.

🌿

What middle names flow best with Nyota?

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

Nyota Grace

How popular is Nyota right now?

Rising fast — up 1137 spots — currently #8367 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1975–2023#8367 · Top 6.2%

1975

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#8367	13	▲ up 1137 · +18% births
2022	#9504	11	▲ up 616 · +10% births
2021	#10120	10	▲ up 3606 · +67% births
2020	#13726	6	▲ up 3272 · +20% births
2015	#16998	5	▼ down 6518
1975	#10480	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Nyota

Best Year2023Rank #8367

Peak Count13

Average Rank#11533

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range1975 - 20236 years

The story of Nyota

Nyota is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1975. With 49 total births recorded, Nyota remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #10480 in 1975 to #8367 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Nyota in 1977:

Jennifer Melissa Amy Jessica Heather

Nyota by decade

Nyota peaked in the 1970s. See all 1970s names →

Decade	Births
1970s	19
2010s ★	24
2020s	6

💎Nyota has only 49 total recorded births since 1975 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Nyota?

Common

NyoNyotNyotieNyoty

What names sound and feel like Nyota?

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

Wyota

Native American · Native American

Nyoka

Kenya · Snake

Nyona

Indonesia · A gift from

Nota

Greece · a musical note

Dkota

American · Friend

Nyonna

American · A modern invented

Clota

France · Derived from 'clota'

Pota

India · child

Common questions about the name Nyota

What does the name Nyota mean?

Nyota means "Star" — a name rooted in Swahili 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 Nyota?

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

What is the cultural origin of Nyota?

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

Is Nyota trending right now?

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

Is Nyota a common or rare name?

Nyota is a distinctive choice that balances familiarity with individuality. It strikes a balance between standing out and fitting in.