Naina
An Indian feminine name derived from Sanskrit meaning "eyes".
Name Census estimates that about 722 living Americans carry the first name Naina. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Naina today is around 14 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Naina births was 2016 (50 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Naina. 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
722
~ 1 in 474,729 Americans
Peak year
2016
50 babies that year
Average age
14
years old
2024 SSA rank
#3,307
Tracked since 1984
Popularity
Naina: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Naina from the 1980s through to the 2020s, spanning 5 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 288 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Naina remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Naina 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 Naina during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nainas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 6 states and territories. California, New Jersey, Texas recorded the most babies named Naina, while Washington, Illinois, New York recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 29 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Naina
The name Naina is derived from the Sanskrit language and has its origins in ancient Indian culture. It is believed to have emerged around the 5th century BCE during the Vedic period of Indian history.
Naina is a feminine name that means "eyes" or "beautiful eyes" in Sanskrit. The word "naina" is derived from the Sanskrit word "nayana," which refers to the eyes or the act of seeing. This connection to the eyes and beauty might have been a reflection of the importance placed on physical beauty in ancient Indian culture.
One of the earliest known references to the name Naina can be found in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, which dates back to around the 8th century BCE. In the epic, Naina is mentioned as the name of a character, although the context and significance of this character are not well documented.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who have borne the name Naina. One of the earliest recorded examples is Naina Devi (1917-1994), an Indian freedom fighter and social activist who played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. She was a member of the Indian National Congress and worked closely with prominent leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Another famous Naina was Naina Bhonsle (1495-1557), a Indian ruler and warrior from the Bhonsle clan. She is remembered for her bravery and leadership during the conflicts between the Marathas and the Mughals in the 16th century.
In the realm of literature, Naina Sahu (1920-2018) was a prominent Indian writer and poet who wrote in the Chhattisgarhi language. Her works explored themes of rural life, women's experiences, and social issues. She received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors.
Naina Kaur (born 1991) is a contemporary Indian actress and model who has appeared in several Punjabi films and music videos. She is known for her performances in movies like "Qismat" and "Chal Mera Putt 2."
Naina Devi (1917-2011) was an Indian classical singer and musician who specialized in the Hindustani classical music tradition. She was awarded the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to music.
People
Naina + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Naina 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
Naina: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Naina?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 722 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Naina 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 474,729 US residents.
Is Naina a common name?
We classify Naina as "Very Rare". It ranks above 87.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 730 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Naina most popular?
The single biggest year for Naina was 2016, when 50 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Naina is about 14 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Naina a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Naina 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.