The baby name Nyota is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NYOH-tah (approx. English); IPA: /ˈɲɔta/.
Nyota is Swahili in Origin.
The baby name Nyota is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced NYOH-tah (approx. English); IPA: /ˈɲɔta/.
Nyota is Swahili in Origin.
Nyota is a Swahili given name meaning “star,” pronounced NYOH-tah. In Swahili it also denotes a zodiac sign or fortune, lending connotations of guidance, brilliance, and destiny. The name appears across Swahili‑speaking communities of Kenya, Tanzania, and the Comoros, and has seen wider adoption through Pan‑African naming trends. While most common for girls, it is occasionally used unisex. Global recognition rose thanks to Star Trek’s communications officer Uhura, whose first name Nyota was popularized and later canonized in the franchise.
Spelling is stable and diminutives are rare; variants mainly take the form of compound names in East African usage. Related names with the same meaning include Stella and Estelle (Latin/French), Estrella (Spanish), Najma (Arabic), Sitara (Hindi/Urdu), Setareh (Persian), Tara (Sanskrit), and Hoshi (Japanese). Nyota’s imagery resonates across cultures - evoking navigation, aspiration, and a bright, auspicious path.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BI | Girls | 0 | #33 | 1 | 726 |
| AO | Girls | 0 | #217 | 1 | 4,575 |
| NA | Girls | 0 | #237 | 1 | 7,146 |
| DK | Girls | 0 | #329 | 1 | 7,429 |
| France | Girls | 2021 | #403 | 3 | 3,185 |
| OM | Girls | 0 | #424 | 1 | 15,987 |
| ZA | 0 | #474 | 1 | 14,421 | |
| PS | Girls | 0 | #547 | 1 | 10,981 |
| AE | Girls | 0 | #597 | 1 | 20,968 |
| IL | Girls | 0 | #645 | 1 | 11,648 |
| United States | Girls | 2024 | #903 | 14 | 8,487 |
| BR | Girls | 0 | #992 | 1 | 12,708 |
| SA | Girls | 0 | #1,014 | 1 | 25,931 |
| ZA | Girls | 0 | #1,127 | 15 | 25,928 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,272 | 1 | 25,619 |
Nyota is popular in 13 countries — most recent births per country:
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!