Daya
Borrowed from Sanskrit दया (dayā, “pity, mercy, compassion”).
Every Daya since 1964 — 935 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Daya
Daya is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,535 in 2025 with 43 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1964, 935 American babies have been named Daya. Its peak came in 2018, when 52 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2010s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Daya stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Daya year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 43 | #3,535 | 8 | #9,103 |
| 2024 | 43 | #3,591 | — | — |
| 2023 | 42 | #3,657 | — | — |
| 2022 | 29 | #4,697 | — | — |
| 2021 | 47 | #3,353 | — | — |
| 2020 | 33 | #4,190 | — | — |
| 2019 | 32 | #4,366 | — | — |
| 2018 | 52 | #3,119 | — | — |
| 2017 | 50 | #3,208 | — | — |
| 2016 | 45 | #3,479 | — | — |
| 2015 | 42 | #3,669 | — | — |
| 2014 | 27 | #5,059 | — | — |
| 2013 | 26 | #5,175 | — | — |
| 2012 | 20 | #6,400 | — | — |
| 2011 | 23 | #5,787 | — | — |
| 2010 | 18 | #6,986 | — | — |
| 2009 | 29 | #4,973 | — | — |
| 2008 | 20 | #6,619 | — | — |
| 2007 | 22 | #6,160 | — | — |
| 2006 | 22 | #5,970 | — | — |
| 2005 | 20 | #6,071 | — | — |
| 2004 | 21 | #5,804 | — | — |
| 2003 | 26 | #4,843 | — | — |
| 2002 | 20 | #5,725 | — | — |
| 2001 | 20 | #5,633 | — | — |
| 2000 | 18 | #6,010 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | 6 | #9,592 | — | — |
| 1980 | 8 | #7,574 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Daya
- Daya Singer · b. 1998
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Daya mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit दया (dayā, “pity, mercy, compassion”).
How popular is the name Daya in 2025?
Daya ranked #3,535 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 43 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Daya?
935 babies have been named Daya in the United States since 1964, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Daya most popular?
Daya peaked in 2018, when 52 newborns received the name.
Is Daya a boy or girl name?
Daya is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Daya rising or falling?
Daya is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Daya?
Well-known people named Daya include Daya (singer).