Priya
Meaningbeloved · Sanskrit
Priya is an Indian girl name meaning “beloved”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationPriya peaked in 2001, which makes it a Gen Z name. The typical Priya you'd meet today is about 24 years old.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Priya would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 16,234 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryPriya first shows up in US birth records in 1969, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 56 years since.
- Where it's lovedWant to meet a lot of Priyas? Head to Wisconsin, where it's the #791 girl name, its best showing of any state.
US births per million girls, 1969–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Save adds it to your list. Vote moves it up the top voted names.
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Priya
Priya is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “beloved”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It hit its peak in the 2000s, so it feels familiar without being trendy. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Indian names
More Indian girl names
- Girl name: Maya · illusion
- Girl name: Lyla · night
- Unisex name: Arya · noble
- Girl name: Kali · black
- Girl name: Serena · calm, serene
- Girl name: Mira · wonderful
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Unisex name: Veda · knowledge
Questions about the name Priya
What does the name Priya mean?
Priya means “beloved” and comes from Sanskrit. Names built around “beloved” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Mia (“possibly beloved”), Maria (“possibly beloved”), Mary (“possibly beloved”) and Molly (“possibly beloved”).
What is the origin of the name Priya?
Priya is Indian in origin, and its meaning traces back to Sanskrit. Other Indian names to consider are Maya (“illusion”), Lyla (“night”), Arya (“noble”) and Kali (“black”).
Is Priya a boy or girl name?
Priya is a girl name. In 2025, 99 US girls were named Priya.
How popular is the name Priya?
Priya ranked #1,942 for US girls in 2025, given to 99 babies. Its best year was 2001, when it reached #1,102. Over the last five years it has slipped 288 places.
What names are similar to Priya?
If you like Priya, you might also like Mia, Maria, Mary and Molly.
What should I know before naming my baby Priya?
Priya is an Indian girl name meaning “beloved”, with Sanskrit roots. Sanskrit names are rich in meaning, often drawn from nature, virtues or Hindu tradition. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.