Find out how popular the first name Jia has been for the last 48 years (from 1976 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Jia by gender

Based on the last 48 years of data, Jia is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 90% of people named Jia being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 111 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Jia.

The history of the first name Jia

The name Jia originates from the Chinese language and culture. It has a long and storied history dating back to ancient times. The name is derived from the Chinese character "嘉", which means "good", "auspicious", or "excellent". It is a unisex name, although it is more commonly given to girls in modern times.

Jia has been a popular name in China for centuries, and it has been documented in various historical texts and records. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the classic Chinese text, the "Book of Rites" (Liji), which was compiled during the Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BCE). This text contains instructions and guidelines for various rituals and ceremonies, and it mentions the name Jia in the context of naming conventions and auspicious meanings.

The name Jia also has connections to Chinese mythology and folklore. In some stories, it is associated with the concept of luck, prosperity, and good fortune. It was believed that giving a child this name would bring them blessings and a prosperous life.

Throughout history, there have been many notable individuals who bore the name Jia. One of the most famous was Jia Sidao (1213–1275), a renowned Chinese calligrapher and scholar during the Song Dynasty. He was known for his exceptional calligraphic skills and his contributions to the development of the "cursive script" style.

Another famous Jia was Jia Pingwa (born 1952), a contemporary Chinese novelist and screenwriter. He is regarded as one of the most influential writers of the "Root-Seeking" literary movement, which aimed to explore and preserve traditional Chinese culture and values.

In the realm of politics, Jia Qinglin (born 1940) was a prominent Chinese politician who served as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China from 2002 to 2012. He was also the Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, an important political advisory body.

In the field of sports, Jia Zhuanzhuan (born 1985) is a Chinese weightlifter who has won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals. She is considered one of the greatest weightlifters in Chinese history and a role model for aspiring athletes.

Lastly, Jia Zhangke (born 1970) is a renowned Chinese film director and screenwriter. He is considered one of the leading figures of the "Sixth Generation" of Chinese filmmakers, known for his gritty and realistic depictions of contemporary Chinese society.

These are just a few examples of the many notable individuals throughout history who have borne the name Jia. This name carries a rich cultural legacy and has been associated with excellence, prosperity, and good fortune for centuries in Chinese tradition.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Jia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Jia, please contact us.

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