Na
A Japanese name meaning "greeny" or "verdure".
Name Census estimates that about 246 living Americans carry the first name Na. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 86.8% of registrations being female. The average person named Na today is around 35 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Na births was 1992 (19 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Na. 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.
For a British comparison, Name Census UK has a UK baby-name profile for Na with official rankings and popularity over time.
People living today
246
~ 1 in 1,393,310 Americans
Peak year
1992
19 babies that year
Average age
35
years old
2004 SSA rank
#12,620
Tracked since 1973
Gender
Gender distribution for Na
Na leans heavily female at 86.8% of total registrations, but 34 boys have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Na as a male name
- Ranked #12,620 in 2004
- 5 male births in 2004
- Peak: 1985 (7 births)
Na as a female name
- Ranked #17,557 in 2003
- 5 female births in 2003
- Peak: 1992 (19 births)
Popularity
Na: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Na from the 1970s through to the 2000s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 122 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1990s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Na 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 Na during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. California, Minnesota, New York recorded the most babies named Na, while Pennsylvania, New York, Minnesota recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 6 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Na
The name Na is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest Indo-Aryan languages spoken in ancient India. The name Na is derived from the Sanskrit word "naa," which means "reed" or "reed plant." It is also thought to be related to the Sanskrit word "nadi," which means "river" or "stream."
In ancient Indian texts and religious scriptures, the name Na is often associated with the concept of fluidity, adaptability, and the ability to go with the flow, much like a reed bending with the wind or a river flowing through the land. It is a name that has been used for both males and females in various regions of the Indian subcontinent for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Na can be found in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata, where it is mentioned as the name of a minor character. In the epic, Na is described as a wise and resourceful individual who helps the protagonists navigate through difficult situations.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Na. One of the most famous is Na Pombejra, a renowned Thai poet and playwright who lived in the 19th century (1808-1869). His works were instrumental in shaping the literary landscape of Thailand during that era.
Another historical figure with the name Na is Na Wunna, a powerful Burmese king who ruled the Hanthawaddy Kingdom in modern-day Myanmar during the 16th century (1501-1551). He is remembered for his military conquests and for establishing a strong centralized government.
In the realm of spirituality, Na Nang Rammawati is a revered Thai Buddhist nun who lived in the 19th century (1822-1901). She was known for her wisdom, compassion, and her efforts in promoting women's education and empowerment in Thailand.
Na Trang, a Vietnamese general and military strategist who lived in the 13th century (1238-1308), is also a notable figure in history. He played a crucial role in defending Vietnam against Mongol invasions and is celebrated for his military prowess and leadership.
Lastly, Na Puta, a renowned Indian musician and composer from the 16th century (1520-1596), is remembered for his contributions to the Hindustani classical music tradition. His compositions and innovative techniques influenced generations of musicians that followed.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals throughout history who have borne the name Na, each leaving their mark in various fields and cultures, reflecting the rich heritage and significance of this ancient name.
People
Na + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Na as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with N
Other first names starting with N with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Na: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Na?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 246 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Na 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 1,393,310 US residents.
Is Na a common name?
We classify Na as "Very Rare". It ranks above 76.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 257 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Na most popular?
The single biggest year for Na was 1992, when 19 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Na is about 35 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Na in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Na a female name?
Yes, 86.8% of people registered as Na 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.
Is Na still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Na in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Na can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many people are named Na?
You can see how many people share the name Na on our sister site HowManyOfMe.org — same data roots, lighter UI.