Vidya
Meaningknowledge, learning · Sanskrit
Vidya is an Indian girl name meaning “knowledge, learning”, 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?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Vidya would score 12 points, thanks largely to the V (worth 4).
- GenerationVidya peaked in 1973, which makes it a Gen X name. The typical Vidya you'd meet today is about 52 years old. Now it's back in style, so there's a whole new generation of baby Vidyas too.
- Roll callIn a typical school of 500 kids, your Vidya would very likely be the only one. About 1 in 200,000 baby girls got the name in 2025.
- HistoryVidya first shows up in US birth records in 1972, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 53 years since.
US births per million girls, 1972–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Vidya
Vidya is a girl name of Indian origin meaning “knowledge, learning”. 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 1970s and is climbing again now. 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 Vidya
What does the name Vidya mean?
Vidya means “knowledge, learning” and comes from Sanskrit. Other girl names with a similar meaning include Veda (“knowledge”).
What is the origin of the name Vidya?
Vidya 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 Vidya a boy or girl name?
Vidya is a girl name. In 2025, 8 US girls were named Vidya.
How popular is the name Vidya?
Vidya ranked #10,917 for US girls in 2025, given to 8 babies. Its best year was 1973, when it reached #6,080. Over the last five years it has climbed 1,225 places.
What names are similar to Vidya?
If you like Vidya, you might also like Veda.
What should I know before naming my baby Vidya?
Vidya is an Indian girl name meaning “knowledge, learning”, 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.