Chyna
A girl's name of American origin with 5,777 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative spelling of China (“female given name”).
Chyna is a girl's baby name of American origin, a phonetic respelling of China — used as a given name inspired by the country's imagery and allure. It gained attention through WWE wrestler and actress Chyna (Joanie Laurer), who made the name synonymous with strength and spectacle in the 1990s.
Chyna belongs to the American naming tradition of geographic and cultural references transformed into feminine given names. It has a bold, striking energy that matches its most famous bearer.
EtymologyShow more
Chyna first shows up in U.S. Social Security records in 1979. First appearing in the 1970s, Chyna emerged during a period of rapid naming innovation in America, when parents increasingly created new names or adopted them from global cultures.
Its American classification suggests a path from american linguistic traditions into American usage, though the specific route — whether through immigration, literature, or cultural exchange — would require deeper historical research.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Chyna was #1380 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #6425, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 178 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 1,258 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 1,917 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 2,168 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 246 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 10 | — |
The Story of Chyna
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 1999, Chyna is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Chyna are most likely born between 1989 and 2009.
How rare is Chyna?
Only about 1 in every 200,000 babies born in 2024 was named Chyna — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1979, peaked in the 1990s with 2,168 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Chyna by the numbers
- Would fill 120 school buses
- Meeting one Chyna per day would take 15.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(45 years, 1979–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 18 | #6425 |
| 2023 | 29 | #4668 |
| 2022 | 38 | #3902 |
| 2021 | 52 | #3123 |
| 2020 | 41 | #3627 |
| 2019 | 49 | #3240 |
| 2018 | 69 | #2537 |
| 2017 | 77 | #2363 |
| 2016 | 102 | #1960 |
| 2015 | 122 | #1718 |
| 2014 | 139 | #1564 |
| 2013 | 171 | #1364 |
| 2012 | 224 | #1108 |
| 2011 | 163 | #1403 |
| 2010 | 142 | #1563 |
| 2009 | 112 | #1878 |
| 2008 | 101 | #2044 |
| 2007 | 84 | #2300 |
| 2006 | 91 | #2135 |
| 2005 | 111 | #1770 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chyna a boy's or girl's name?
When was Chyna most popular?
How popular is the name Chyna?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1979–2024