girls' name · peaked 2002

Kaija

Every Kaija since 1967 — 1,028 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.010.020.020.0318801900192019401960198020002020Peak 2001Girls
Rank 2025
#7,663
among girls
Babies in 2025
14
named Kaija
Peak year
2002
49 babies
All-time total
1,028
since 1967

The story of Kaija

Kaija is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #7,663 in 2025 with 14 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.

Since 1967, 1,028 American babies have been named Kaija. Its peak came in 2002, when 49 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.

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 Kaija stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Kaija year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank
2025 14 #7,663
2024 18 #6,517
2023 27 #4,928
2022 12 #8,771
2021 12 #8,713
2020 19 #6,191
2019 26 #5,094
2018 19 #6,373
2017 18 #6,665
2016 34 #4,301
2015 17 #7,115
2014 18 #6,846
2013 14 #8,340
2012 15 #8,008
2011 19 #6,711
2010 30 #4,796
2009 28 #5,152
2008 33 #4,587
2007 42 #3,821
2006 26 #5,304
2005 35 #4,065
2004 28 #4,765
2003 36 #3,840
2002 49 #2,993
2001 48 #2,985
2000 31 #4,024
1995 23 #4,416
1990 11 #7,556
1985 7 #8,726
1980 8 #7,720
1975 9 #6,166
1970
1965
1960
1955
1950
1945
1940
1935
1930
1925
1920
1915
1910
1905
1900
1895
1890
1885
1880

Famous people named Kaija

  1. Kaija Saariaho Composer · b. 1952
  2. Kaija Mustonen Skater · b. 1941
  3. Kaija Kärkinen Singer · b. 1962
  4. Kaija Parve Athlete · b. 1964

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

How popular is the name Kaija in 2025?

Kaija ranked #7,663 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 14 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Kaija?

1,028 babies have been named Kaija in the United States since 1967, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Kaija most popular?

Kaija peaked in 2002, when 49 newborns received the name.

Is Kaija a boy or girl name?

Kaija is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Kaija rising or falling?

Kaija is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Kaija?

Well-known people named Kaija include Kaija Saariaho (composer), Kaija Mustonen (skater), Kaija Kärkinen (singer).

Names like Kaija

Compare Kaija with similar names →