Kya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Kya has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Kya

A feminine name with Sanskrit roots, meaning river or water body.

Popularity of Kya by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kya is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 100% of people named Kya being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 228 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Kya.

YearMale CountFemale Count
20240228
20230336
20220181
20210140
20200155
20190133
20180143
20170172
20160204
20150161
20140180
20130175
20120195
20110192
20100227
20090203
20080233
20070266
20060282
20050285
20040381
20030299
20020251
200113271
20000157
19990109
1998071
1997050
1996045
1995059
1994088
1993039
1992042
1991036
1990030
1989027
1988013
1986010
198509
198407
198308
198209
1981010
1980012
197909
197609
197507

The history of the first name Kya

The name Kya is believed to have its origins in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language from the Indian subcontinent. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "kya," which means "who" or "what." This suggests that the name may have been used as a rhetorical question or expression of curiosity in ancient times.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kya can be found in Hindu religious texts and scriptures. It is mentioned in the Upanishads, a collection of philosophical writings that form part of the Vedas, which are among the oldest sacred texts in the world, dating back to around the 8th century BCE. In these texts, the name Kya is sometimes used as a way to refer to the concept of the "Self" or the divine essence within all beings.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Kya. One of the earliest recorded examples is Kya Pandita (1123-1199 CE), a renowned Buddhist scholar and philosopher from Kashmir, who was known for his contributions to the study of logic and epistemology.

Another notable figure with the name Kya is Kya Namdol (1570-1629), a Tibetan Buddhist master and teacher who was known for his expertise in Tantric Buddhism and his role in preserving and transmitting important spiritual teachings.

In the realm of literature, there is Kya Chittadhuranirmalshri (1710-1775), a celebrated Bengali poet and writer from the Indian subcontinent who is known for his contributions to the development of the Bengali language and literature.

Moving to more recent times, Kya Aung San (1915-1947) was a prominent Burmese political leader and activist who played a significant role in the independence movement of Myanmar (formerly Burma). She was assassinated shortly after Myanmar gained independence.

Lastly, Kya Batuk (1925-2013) was a renowned Kenyan artist and sculptor who is celebrated for her unique and powerful works of art that depicted the lives and experiences of African women.

These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Kya, which has its roots in the rich cultural and linguistic traditions of the Indian subcontinent and has been carried by notable figures across various fields and regions.

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

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

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