Preya
A feminine name of Indian origin meaning "beloved" or "dear one".
Name Census estimates that about 34 living Americans carry the first name Preya. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Preya today is around 29 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Preya births was 1991 (7 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Preya. 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.
Key insights
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Preya. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
34
~ 1 in 10,081,010 Americans
Peak year
1991
7 babies that year
Average age
29
years old
2004 SSA rank
#15,605
Tracked since 1990
Popularity
Preya: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Preya from the 1990s through to the 2000s, spanning 2 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1990s, with 22 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 1990s peak, Preya remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Preya 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 Preya 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 Preya
The name Preya is believed to have originated from the Sanskrit language, with roots dating back to ancient India. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "priya," which translates to "beloved" or "dear one." This name carries a strong connotation of affection and endearment, reflecting the cultural values and traditions of the Indian subcontinent.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Preya can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. Within these sacred texts, the name is mentioned in reference to various deities and mythological figures, symbolizing their cherished and revered status. This association with divine entities further solidified the name's significance and contributed to its enduring popularity.
Throughout the centuries, the name Preya has been borne by numerous notable individuals, leaving an indelible mark on various fields. One such figure is Preya Kalidas, a renowned poet and playwright from the 4th century CE, whose works, including the celebrated play "Abhijñānaśākuntalam," have stood the test of time and continue to be celebrated today.
Another illustrious bearer of this name is Preya Vidyapati, a 15th-century poet and lyricist from Bengal. His works, particularly his love poems, are considered literary masterpieces and have profoundly influenced the development of Bengali literature and culture.
In the realm of spirituality, Preya Ananda Mayee Ma, a revered Indian mystic and saint who lived from 1896 to 1982, embodied the essence of love and compassion, inspiring countless followers with her teachings and selfless service.
Moving into more recent times, Preya Dutt, an Indian politician and social activist born in 1957, has dedicated her life to advocating for human rights, environmental causes, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Her unwavering commitment to social justice has earned her widespread respect and admiration.
Lastly, Preya Narayanan, an accomplished Indian classical dancer and choreographer born in 1981, has captivated audiences around the world with her graceful performances and innovative interpretations of traditional dance forms, preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of India.
These notable individuals, spanning various eras and disciplines, have carried the name Preya with dignity and distinction, leaving an indelible mark on their respective fields and contributing to the richness of human culture and history.
People
Preya + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Preya as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with P
Other first names starting with P with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Preya: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Preya?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 34 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Preya 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 10,081,010 US residents.
Is Preya a common name?
We classify Preya as "Very Rare". It ranks above 48.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 35 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Preya most popular?
The single biggest year for Preya was 1991, when 7 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Preya is about 29 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Preya a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Preya 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.