Neya first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Neya has been for the last 27 years (from 1997 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Neya

A feminine name with Sanskrit origins meaning "guide" or "leader".

Popularity of Neya by gender

Based on the last 27 years of data, Neya is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 15 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Neya.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 0 15
2022 0 5
2021 0 8
2020 0 11
2019 0 6
2018 0 8
2017 0 14
2016 0 9
2015 0 16
2014 0 10
2013 0 9
2012 0 9
2011 0 10
2010 0 10
2009 0 19
2008 0 15
2007 0 19
2006 0 16
2005 0 8
2004 0 15
2003 0 8
2002 0 9
2001 0 7
2000 0 7
1998 0 6
1997 0 6

The history of the first name Neya

The name Neya is believed to have its origins in Sanskrit, an ancient Indo-Aryan language that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. It is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit word "naya," which means "guidance" or "leadership." The name was likely used in ancient India, where Sanskrit was the language of spiritual and scholarly texts.

In Hindu mythology, there are references to a character named Neya, who was a wise and virtuous woman known for her guidance and teachings. Some ancient Hindu texts, such as the Puranas, may have mentioned this name in connection with spiritual or philosophical teachings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Neya can be found in the historical records of the Maurya Empire, which ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent from 322 BCE to 185 BCE. During this period, there was a prominent scholar and philosopher named Neya, who was known for her contributions to the field of ethics and moral philosophy.

Throughout history, there have been several notable figures who bore the name Neya. One such figure was Neya Sundari (1635-1705), a renowned Indian poet and writer who is celebrated for her contributions to Bengali literature. Another was Neya Devi (1810-1890), a prominent social reformer and advocate for women's education in 19th-century India.

In more recent times, Neya Krishnan (1932-2018) was an acclaimed Indian classical dancer and choreographer who helped popularize the Bharatanatyam dance form on the global stage. Neya Sharma (born 1989) is a contemporary Indian actress and model who has appeared in several Bollywood films and television shows.

While the name Neya may not be as common today as it once was, it has a rich cultural and historical significance, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. Its connection to the concepts of guidance, leadership, and wisdom make it a name with deep spiritual and philosophical resonance.

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

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

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Neya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 30, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/neya-meaning-and-history/.

"Neya first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/neya-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 30 June, 2025

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

Search for a name

Search for a first or last name to learn more about its origin, meaning, and more.

Simple as that.