Vidya
Borrowed from Sanskrit विद्या (vidyā, “knowledge”).
Every Vidya since 1972 — 487 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Vidya
Vidya is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #11,860 in 2025 with 8 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1972, 487 American babies have been named Vidya. Its peak came in 2007, when 17 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 Vidya stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Vidya year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | #11,860 |
| 2024 | 12 | #8,915 |
| 2023 | 11 | #9,568 |
| 2022 | 10 | #10,346 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8,947 |
| 2020 | 7 | #13,387 |
| 2019 | 13 | #8,574 |
| 2018 | 9 | #11,385 |
| 2017 | 12 | #9,311 |
| 2016 | 9 | #11,721 |
| 2015 | 16 | #7,592 |
| 2014 | 16 | #7,618 |
| 2013 | 14 | #8,549 |
| 2012 | 12 | #9,688 |
| 2011 | 16 | #7,760 |
| 2010 | 14 | #8,677 |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,412 |
| 2008 | 15 | #8,502 |
| 2007 | 17 | #7,718 |
| 2006 | 10 | #11,377 |
| 2005 | 13 | #8,852 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12,723 |
| 2003 | 12 | #9,029 |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,817 |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | 6 | #14,956 |
| 1995 | 9 | #9,525 |
| 1990 | 6 | #12,909 |
| 1985 | 6 | #10,648 |
| 1980 | 8 | #8,153 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | — | — |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Vidya
- Vidya Balan Actor · b. 1979
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Vidya mean?
Borrowed from Sanskrit विद्या (vidyā, “knowledge”).
How popular is the name Vidya in 2025?
Vidya ranked #11,860 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 8 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Vidya?
487 babies have been named Vidya in the United States since 1972, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Vidya most popular?
Vidya peaked in 2007, when 17 newborns received the name.
Is Vidya a boy or girl name?
Vidya is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Vidya rising or falling?
Vidya is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Vidya?
Well-known people named Vidya include Vidya Balan (actor).