Zia

Short form of Luzia or Terézia, Hungarian, Portuguese
"light; harvest"

Zia Origin and Meaning

The name Zia is a girl's name meaning "light; harvest".

A short and zippy name that would blend right in with but also stand out among a group of girls named Mia, Gia, Lia and Tia. It is a multicultural choice, used in Hungary as a short from of Terézia, or sometimes Ambrozia, and as a Romansh and Portuguese nickname for Luzia or similar.

The name is also associated with the Zia people of Papua New Guinea, and with the Zia people of New Mexico, in turn connecting the name to the Zia sun symbol. Among Arabic, Turkish, Urdu, and Bengali speakers, Zia is a (predominantly) masculine name, meaning "splendor" or "shine", while in a Hebrew context, it is an Old Testament name, borne by one of the sons of Gad.

Some use of Zia as a feminine name however may also simply come down to the appeal of the Z initial and the rhyme with other popular, nickname-y choices, which may be why it has risen in the US in recent years. Given to nearly 200 babies in the latest count, the name is notably borne by musician Zia McCabe and basketball player Zia Cooke, and actress Zia Grace.

One caveat though: in an Italian-American family it would be strange to have a baby named Aunt.

Popularity of the name Zia

20 Names Similar to Zia

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Zia.

Famous People Named Zia

  • Anastasia "Zia" de Torby
    Lady Wernher, Russian noblewoman
  • Zia McCabe (born Aimee Springer)
    American musician of band The Dandy Warhols
  • Zia
    stage name of Park Ji Hye, South Korean pop singer

The name Zia in Pop Culture

  • Zia
    a main character in the 1941 movie "Sundown," played by Gene Tierney
  • Romansh language of Switzerland
    a short form of Luzia
  • Zia sun
    symbol featured on the New Mexico state flag
  • Zia Rashid
    character in "The Kane Chronicles" by Rick Riordan
  • Zia Simpson
    Lisa Simpson's daughter from "The Simpsons"
  • Zia
    nickname for Jadzia