Joya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Joya has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Joya

A feminine name of Persian origin meaning "jewel" or "precious".

Popularity of Joya by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Joya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 20 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Joya.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 20
2022 0 20
2021 0 17
2020 0 19
2019 0 21
2018 0 16
2017 0 14
2016 0 24
2015 0 21
2014 0 25
2013 0 29
2012 0 29
2011 0 24
2010 0 18
2009 0 30
2008 0 20
2007 0 27
2006 0 29
2005 0 30
2004 0 28
2003 0 35
2002 0 36
2001 0 31
2000 0 24
1999 0 21
1998 0 28
1997 0 20
1996 0 39
1995 0 32
1994 0 23
1993 0 23
1992 0 37
1991 0 21
1990 0 43
1989 0 24
1988 0 33
1987 0 31
1986 0 24
1985 0 23
1984 0 22
1983 0 25
1982 0 35
1981 0 29
1980 0 30
1979 0 31
1978 0 21
1977 0 28
1976 0 39
1975 0 34
1974 0 23

The history of the first name Joya

The name Joya has its origins in the Persian language, where it means "a stream" or "a small river." The name gained popularity during the Islamic Golden Age, which spanned from the 8th to the 13th centuries, when Persian culture and literature flourished across the Middle East and Central Asia.

In ancient Persian literature, the word "joya" was used to describe the gentle flow of water, often associated with tranquility, beauty, and serenity. The name likely took on a symbolic meaning, representing the qualities of grace, purity, and harmony.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Joya can be found in the "Shahnameh," an epic poem written by the renowned Persian poet Ferdowsi in the late 10th century. In the poem, a minor character bears the name Joya, though little is known about her significance.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Joya. In the 12th century, Joya Al-Mawsili was a celebrated Persian musician and composer who lived in Mosul, Iraq. Her contributions to the development of classical Arabic music are still recognized and celebrated today.

In the 16th century, Joya Thillayeva was a prominent Uzbek poet and scholar who wrote extensively on topics ranging from philosophy to spirituality. Her works were influential in shaping the literary landscape of Central Asia during that period.

During the 19th century, Joya Kamal was an influential Afghan educator and women's rights activist. She established one of the first schools for girls in Kabul and played a crucial role in promoting female education in Afghanistan.

In the 20th century, Joya Blondel was a French sculptor and artist known for her abstract and surrealist works. Born in 1919, she gained recognition for her innovative use of materials and her unique artistic vision.

Another notable figure with the name Joya was Joya Bagchi, an Indian politician and social activist born in 1929. She dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of marginalized communities and promoting women's empowerment in India.

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 Joya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Joya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on May 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/joya-meaning-and-history/.

"Joya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/joya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 May, 2025

Joya first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/joya-meaning-and-history/.

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