Kaya
About Kaya
A multicultural name, that's currently on style and fits right in with Kaia, Maya, Raya, and Mia. Currently in the Top 500 in both the UK and The Netherlands, it has several different origins and meanings.
On one hand, Kaya is an elaboration of Kay or an alternative spelling to the Scandinavian Kaia (or Kaja), both of which ultimately derive from Katherine meaning "pure".
Alternatively, it is a literary name, which drew inspiration from the Native American language, Nez Percé. It was used as a nickname for a Native American character in the American Girl books series, with her full name being Kaya'aton'my ("one who arranges rocks").
Also used as a Japanese name, it can meaning "perfume" or "reward" depending on which Kanji element you use.
Pronounced KY-uh.
As of October 2026, Kaya ranked #1133 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #540 in 2003, Nameberry popularity #430.
Editor's take: The name Kaya is a girl's name of Native American origin meaning "pure; one who arranges rocks; perfume, incense; fruit, reward".
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank | Births | Per million |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #1,000 | 264 | 147.8 |
| 2015 | #860 | 326 | 182.6 |
| 2016 | #962 | 282 | 159.1 |
| 2017 | #937 | 282 | 163.3 |
| 2018 | #1,024 | 253 | 148.7 |
| 2019 | #973 | 268 | 159.7 |
| 2020 | #1,055 | 236 | 146 |
| 2021 | #1,007 | 254 | 154.8 |
| 2022 | #1,019 | 254 | 154.9 |
| 2023 | #1,024 | 247 | 153.9 |
| 2024 | #966 | 268 | 165.4 |
| 2025 | #1,133 | 206 | 128.2 |
World rankings
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Kaya.
- Adaleigh
- Nia
- Naya
- Raina
- Nyla
- Raya
- Malia
- Kyra
- Kehlani
- Siena
- Briella
- Kiana
- Maleah
- Kalani
- Alyx
- Bria
- Ariah
- Caralyn
- Reyna
- Neveah
Kaya on lists
Famous Kayas
- Kaya Rose Scodelario
English actress
- Kaya Christian
American model
- Kaya Matsutani
Japanese voice actress
- Kaya
Japanese visual kei musician
- Kaya Faison (1999)
daughter of actor Donald Faison; twin of brother Dade
- Kaya McKenna Callahan (b. 2001)
daughter of actors Eva LaRue and John Callahan
- Kaya Sky Farley (b. 2006)
daughter of TV presenters Katy Hill and Trey Farley
- Kaya (b. 2006)
daughter of actress Diane Parish
- Kaya Leach (2012)
daughter of tennis player Lindsay Davenport and Jonathan Leach
- Kaya Baharova (b. 2013)
daughter of actor Zahari Baharov
- Kaya Strobel (b. 2016)
daughter of Josh and Aleksandra Strobel of "90 Day Fiance"
Kaya in pop culture
- Kaya'aton'my "Kaya"
character in the American Girl doll series
- "Kaya
" album by Bob Marley
- Kaya
character from a book called Nyxia