Nivia
A feminine name likely derived from the Spanish word "nieve" meaning snow.
Name Census estimates that about 517 living Americans carry the first name Nivia. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Nivia today is around 36 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Nivia births was 1980 (26 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Nivia. 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
517
~ 1 in 662,968 Americans
Peak year
1980
26 babies that year
Average age
36
years old
2021 SSA rank
#17,007
Tracked since 1950
Popularity
Nivia: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Nivia from the 1950s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 115 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Nivia 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 Nivia during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Nivias live
Origin
Meaning and history of Nivia
The name Nivia is believed to have originated from the Latin word 'nivius', meaning 'snow-white' or 'snowy'. It's a feminine name that likely emerged in ancient Rome during the classical era, reflecting the culture's appreciation for natural beauty and purity.
The earliest recorded usage of Nivia can be traced back to Roman inscriptions and historical records from the 1st century AD. It was a name given to Roman women, often from affluent families, as it symbolized purity, innocence, and grace.
One notable historical figure who bore the name Nivia was a Roman noblewoman from the 2nd century AD. She was known for her philanthropic work and patronage of the arts, sponsoring several public buildings and artistic endeavors during her lifetime.
In the Middle Ages, the name Nivia gained popularity among Christian communities, particularly in Italy and Spain. It was often associated with the Virgin Mary, whose purity and virtue were revered by the faithful.
Another historical figure named Nivia was an Italian nun who lived in the 13th century. She founded a convent in Tuscany and was renowned for her devotion to serving the poor and underprivileged.
During the Renaissance period, the name Nivia experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among the wealthy and noble classes. One notable bearer of the name was Nivia Farnese, an Italian noblewoman born in 1492, who was celebrated for her beauty, intelligence, and patronage of the arts.
In the 18th century, a French painter named Nivia Ledru gained recognition for her exquisite portraits of aristocratic families and landscapes. She was born in 1720 and her works are still admired today for their attention to detail and vibrant color palettes.
Another notable figure named Nivia was a Spanish opera singer from the 19th century, Nivia Montserrat, who was born in 1823. She gained international acclaim for her powerful soprano voice and captivating stage presence, performing in many of the great opera houses of Europe.
While the name Nivia has maintained a presence throughout history, it has remained relatively uncommon, perhaps due to its association with ideals of purity and virtue, which may have been seen as lofty or unattainable by some.
People
Nivia + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Nivia 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
Nivia: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Nivia?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 517 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Nivia 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 662,968 US residents.
Is Nivia a common name?
We classify Nivia as "Very Rare". It ranks above 84.9% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 560 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Nivia most popular?
The single biggest year for Nivia was 1980, when 26 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Nivia is about 36 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Nivia a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Nivia 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.