Is Nhia a boy's or girl's name?

Nhia is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 32 recorded births.

When was Nhia most popular?

Nhia reached its peak popularity in 1990 with 20 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Nhia?

Nhia is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 213 babies in the U.S. since 1981. Its peak was in 1990.

Nhia

An uncommon Hmong pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsHmongNot ranked recently

Rare name

Meaning & Origin

Nhia is a boy's and girl's baby name of Hmong origin, used in Hmong communities from Laos, Vietnam, and Thailand, as well as among Hmong diaspora in the United States. In Hmong naming traditions, names are often short and phonetically simple, carrying meanings rooted in the natural world or ancestral significance.

As Hmong communities established roots in Minnesota, California, and other U.S. states following the Vietnam War, names like Nhia became part of the American cultural landscape — carrying a specific Southeast Asian heritage that deserves recognition and respect.

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Popularity Over Time

Nhia has 18+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1981.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Nhia
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1990s	116	#5130	▲
1980s	97	#4454	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(18 years, 1981–1998)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Nhia
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1998	11	#5724	+4 (57.1%)
1997	7	#7875	-4 (-36.4%)
1996	11	#5430	+3 (37.5%)
1995	8	#6808	-7 (-46.7%)
1994	15	#4227	+4 (36.4%)
1993	11	#5262	-9 (-45.0%)
1992	20	#3303	+7 (53.8%)
1991	13	#4405	-7 (-35.0%)
1990	20	#3134	+3 (17.6%)
1989	17	#3405	0
1988	17	#3169	+8 (88.9%)
1987	9	#4840	-3 (-25.0%)
1986	12	#3807	+3 (33.3%)
1985	9	#4580	+1 (12.5%)
1984	8	#4847	+3 (60.0%)
1983	5	#6984	-7 (-58.3%)
1982	12	#3626	+4 (50.0%)
1981	8	#4825	—

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Nhia as a Girl's Name

Though more common for boys, Nhia has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 32 births since 1983.

Unranked

Current rank

Total births

1989

Peak year

Compare Nhia as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Nhia be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Nhia is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it is not currently ranked. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1981–1998) · Methodology