Monia
A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly French or Arabic diminutive.
Name Census estimates that about 292 living Americans carry the first name Monia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Monia today is around 46 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Monia births was 1987 (13 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Monia. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
292
~ 1 in 1,173,816 Americans
Peak year
1987
13 babies that year
Average age
46
years old
2007 SSA rank
#13,527
Tracked since 1920
Popularity
Monia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Monia from the 1920s through to the 2000s, spanning 9 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 81 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1990s peak, Monia remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Monia by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Monia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Monia
The name Monia has its origins in ancient Greece, derived from the Greek word "monios," which means "enduring" or "lasting." It first emerged during the Hellenistic period, which spanned from the 4th to the 1st century BC.
This feminine name was particularly popular among the upper classes of Greek society, as it represented the virtues of resilience and perseverance. It was often bestowed upon daughters with the hope that they would embody these qualities throughout their lives.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Monia can be found in the writings of the ancient Greek historian Plutarch, who mentioned a woman named Monia from the city of Corinth in his work "Parallel Lives." This text, written in the late 1st century AD, provides valuable insight into the use of the name during that era.
Throughout the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century AD, the name Monia continued to be used, albeit less frequently than in ancient Greece. It appeared in several Byzantine chronicles and manuscripts, indicating its enduring presence in the region.
One notable figure bearing the name Monia was a Byzantine noblewoman who lived in the 10th century AD. She was known for her philanthropic efforts and her support of the arts, making her a prominent figure in the cultural and social circles of the time.
During the Renaissance period, the name Monia experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly in Italy. A famous Italian painter named Monia Guidi, born in 1498, gained recognition for her remarkable artistic skills and her contribution to the development of Renaissance art.
In the 18th century, a French philosopher and writer named Monia Diderot, born in 1712, made significant contributions to the Enlightenment movement. Her works explored themes of reason, freedom, and the pursuit of knowledge, reflecting the ideals of her era.
Another notable figure named Monia was a Russian ballerina born in 1875. Monia Pavlova was celebrated for her exceptional grace and artistry on the stage, and she is widely regarded as one of the most influential dancers of the early 20th century.
Despite its ancient origins and historical significance, the name Monia has remained relatively uncommon in modern times. However, its rich cultural heritage and symbolic meaning continue to attract those who appreciate its enduring qualities.
People
Monia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Monia as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Monia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Monia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 292 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Monia going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,173,816 US residents.
Is Monia a common name?
We classify Monia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 366 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Monia most popular?
The single biggest year for Monia was 1987, when 13 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Monia is about 46 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Monia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Monia in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.