Teya
A feminine name of unknown origin, possibly meaning "heavenly" or "gift from God".
Name Census estimates that about 1,255 living Americans carry the first name Teya. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Teya today is around 24 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Teya births was 1998 (77 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Teya. 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
1.3K
~ 1 in 273,111 Americans
Peak year
1998
77 babies that year
Average age
24
years old
2024 SSA rank
#4,750
Tracked since 1957
Popularity
Teya: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Teya 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 454 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
Teya 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 Teya during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Teyas live
The SSA's state-level files cover 8 states and territories. California, Texas, New York recorded the most babies named Teya, while Washington, Oregon, Arizona recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 23 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Teya
The name Teya originates from the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient Indo-Aryan language that dates back to the 2nd millennium BCE. In Sanskrit, the name Teya is derived from the word "teja," which means "brilliance" or "radiance." This suggests that the name may have been given to individuals who were believed to possess a bright and shining personality or a strong aura.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Teya can be found in the ancient Hindu scriptures, the Vedas. In these sacred texts, there are references to individuals bearing the name Teya, although specific details about their lives and roles are scarce. However, the presence of the name in such ancient and revered texts highlights its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance.
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Teya. One of the earliest known was Teya, a philosopher and spiritual teacher who lived in ancient India around the 6th century BCE. He is credited with developing a philosophical system known as Teyavada, which emphasized the importance of self-realization and the attainment of inner peace.
Another prominent individual with the name Teya was Teya the Warrior, a legendary figure who lived in the 8th century CE in what is now present-day Afghanistan. According to historical accounts, Teya was a skilled warrior and military strategist who played a significant role in defending her kingdom against foreign invaders.
In the realm of literature, Teya Mukherjee (1901-1980) was a renowned Bengali novelist and short story writer. Her works often explored themes of love, relationships, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. She is regarded as one of the pioneering voices of modern Bengali literature.
Teya Rendall (1919-2013) was an Australian artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her abstract and minimalist works. Her sculptures, often created from materials like wood and stone, were celebrated for their simplicity and elegance, reflecting her understanding of form and space.
Lastly, Teya Flores (born 1976) is a contemporary Mexican-American actress and filmmaker. She has appeared in numerous television shows and films, including the acclaimed series "Narcos" and "The Walking Dead." Flores is also known for her advocacy work, particularly in promoting diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.
While the name Teya may have originated in ancient Sanskrit, its presence throughout history and across various cultures demonstrates its enduring appeal and versatility. From philosophers and warriors to artists and actors, individuals with the name Teya have left their mark on diverse fields, showcasing the brilliance and radiance that the name itself embodies.
People
Teya + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Teya as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with T
Other first names starting with T with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Teya: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Teya?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1,255 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Teya 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 273,111 US residents.
Is Teya a common name?
We classify Teya as "Rare". It ranks above 91.5% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,290 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Teya most popular?
The single biggest year for Teya was 1998, when 77 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Teya is about 24 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Teya a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Teya 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.