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Priya as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Priya

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The baby name Priya is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced PREE-ya (IPA: /ˈpriː.jə/).

Priya is Sanskrit in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Sanskrit
Pronunciation: PREE-ya (IPA: /ˈpriː.jə/)

What is the meaning of the name Priya ?

The baby name Priya is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced PREE-ya (IPA: /ˈpriː.jə/).

Priya is Sanskrit in Origin.

Priya is a Sanskrit name derived from the root prī, “to please, delight,” with priya meaning “beloved, dear, favorite.” It appears in Vedic and classical Sanskrit as an epithet for cherished persons and deities, and transitioned into a personal name across Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist communities. Predominantly feminine in modern use, it is common throughout India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka and widely adopted in the South Asian diaspora. Usage expanded globally in the late 20th century through literature and cinema.

Variants and related forms include Supriya (“very dear”), Priyanka, Priyal, Priyam, Priyadarshini/Priyadarshini, and Priyanshi; regional masculine counterparts include Priyan (Tamil/Malayalam) and Priyo (Bengali/Assamese). Alternate spellings such as Priyaa and Preeya occur, with nicknames like Pri or Pree. The name’s enduring appeal lies in its warm, affectionate meaning, straightforward pronunciation (PREE-yah), and cross-linguistic simplicity, making it a timeless choice that bridges traditional Sanskrit heritage with contemporary international use.

Priya has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Priya

Priyamani Actor · Born 1984 · India Priyamani is an Indian actor best known for her role in the film 'Paruthiveeran', which earned her a National Film Award. She has also appeared in popular films like 'Raavan' and 'Chennai Express'. Born in 1984, she continues to be a prominent figure in Indian cinema. Priya Anand Actor · Born 1986 · India Priya Anand is an Indian actor best known for her roles in films like 'English Vinglish' and 'Fukrey'. She has made a mark in the Indian film industry with her versatile performances across various languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Priya Prakash Varrier Actor · Born 1999 · India Priya Prakash Varrier is an Indian actor who gained widespread attention for her role in the Malayalam film 'Oru Adaar Love'. She became an internet sensation due to a viral video clip from the film, where her expressive wink captured the hearts of many.
Priya Rajvansh Actor · Born 1937 · India Priya Rajvansh was an Indian actress best known for her roles in films like 'Heer Raanjha' and 'Hanste Zakhm'. She gained fame in the 1960s and 1970s for her performances in Hindi cinema, often collaborating with director Chetan Anand. Priya Gill Actor · Born 1977 · India Priya Gill is an Indian actress best known for her role in the 1999 film 'Sirf Tum'. She also appeared in 'Tere Mere Sapne' and 'Josh', making a mark in Bollywood during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Priya Tendulkar Actor · Born 1954 · India Priya Tendulkar was an Indian actress best known for her role in the television series 'Rajani', where she played a fearless and outspoken housewife tackling social issues. She was also recognized for her work in films like 'Ankur' and 'Aankahi'. Born in 1954, Priya became a prominent figure in Indian television and cinema.

Priya – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
IN Girls 0 #2 9,973 13,121
FJ Girls 0 #4 6 583
MV 0 #19 1 644
IN 0 #20 61 2,963
MV Girls 0 #21 15 2,021
OM Girls 0 #31 849 15,987
BD Girls 0 #33 971 8,413
AE Girls 0 #38 1,241 20,968
ID 0 #39 1 2,238
KW Girls 0 #56 935 19,177
QA Girls 0 #57 383 15,378
LU 0 #66 1 2,830
MU Girls 0 #73 573 8,539
JP 0 #77 1 4,057
MV Boys 0 #79 1 3,375
QA 0 #81 20 7,011
CN 0 #84 3 3,857
OM 0 #86 31 6,215
MD Girls 0 #92 1 865
AF Girls 0 #93 2 2,402
BD 0 #94 152 5,992
KW 0 #100 17 5,216
ID Girls 0 #102 1 3,319
SD 0 #102 1 2,130
GE Girls 0 #107 2 1,564
PH 0 #110 1 5,607
AE 0 #111 67 10,220
CY Girls 0 #112 10 3,755
BN Girls 0 #113 2 5,459
MU 0 #117 20 3,613
Switzerland Girls 2024 #134 2 1,786
ID Boys 0 #135 1 4,130
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
EE Girls 0 #142 1 1,888
BW Girls 0 #146 6 4,216
MT Girls 0 #152 2 3,773
SA Girls 0 #160 1,486 25,931
CR 0 #161 5 5,526
SG Girls 0 #162 703 18,916
PR Girls 0 #167 1 3,171
Sweden Girls 2021 #182 2 1,666
LU Girls 0 #187 4 4,850
DK 0 #204 3 5,198
AO Girls 0 #216 2 4,575
HU Girls 0 #221 5 3,308
SG 0 #228 42 11,010
JP Girls 0 #235 11 6,592
NA Girls 0 #237 1 7,146
GR Girls 0 #247 3 6,293
GH 0 #248 1 5,396
BH 0 #250 343 17,937
PT 0 #250 1 4,161
TW Boys 0 #255 2 7,111
MO Girls 0 #261 3 7,056
SA 0 #272 24 10,560
Canada Girls 2024 #275 11 2,795
MY Girls 0 #277 1,288 24,821
JM Girls 0 #278 1 7,507
IL 0 #280 3 6,291
TW Girls 0 #281 9 8,139
MY 0 #287 44 12,352
JO Girls 0 #288 38 7,570
HR Girls 0 #294 1 3,687
DK Girls 0 #306 11 7,429
PE 0 #325 5 6,350
KZ Girls 0 #332 1 5,862
GH Girls 0 #335 3 6,973
CN Girls 0 #336 14 8,829
MU Boys 0 #345 13 8,477
HK 0 #349 9 8,483
CZ Girls 0 #351 1 5,378
SD Girls 0 #353 6 7,678
Finland Girls 0 #363 29 1,368
PL Girls 0 #363 2 5,096
France Girls 2021 #370 36 3,185
YE 0 #372 10 8,639
PH Girls 0 #375 16 13,098
NL 0 #381 11 2,481
PT Boys 0 #381 1 7,951
JO Boys 0 #384 6 7,057
ZA 0 #406 42 14,421
PH Boys 0 #407 2 11,440
BO 0 #408 1 6,868
EG 0 #412 1 6,387
PT Girls 0 #465 7 7,952
SD Boys 0 #466 1 10,523
IQ Girls 0 #479 26 11,303
PS Girls 0 #483 41 10,981
BD Boys 0 #501 76 10,045
IN Boys 0 #507 587 16,750
CO 0 #510 1 7,768
PA Girls 0 #512 7 9,861
RU Girls 0 #515 9 11,913
CR Girls 0 #518 15 11,342
RU Boys 0 #526 1 12,621
UY Girls 0 #536 1 6,731
IR Girls 0 #543 3 8,334
HK Boys 0 #557 1 12,905
LY 0 #557 3 12,703
PS Boys 0 #560 2 10,655
HK Girls 0 #563 53 16,104
IL Girls 0 #582 36 11,648
SG Boys 0 #605 93 17,960
KW Boys 0 #618 152 18,755
IL Boys 0 #625 1 10,983
LB 0 #640 19 13,263
QA Boys 0 #648 60 18,093
BO Girls 0 #649 3 9,488
IQ Boys 0 #689 9 13,071
CL Boys 0 #700 1 13,390
IT 0 #703 12 4,183
Finland Girls 2026 #717 22 3,895
NG Girls 0 #762 25 15,093
OM Boys 0 #784 98 17,948
ZA Girls 0 #787 373 25,928
Germany Girls 0 #803 36 4,949
United States Girls 2024 #809 108 8,487
NL Girls 0 #815 141 5,933
TN 0 #859 7 13,765
PE Girls 0 #905 39 14,861
CL Girls 0 #913 3 14,098
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
EG Girls 0 #943 17 14,742
Spain Girls 0 #961 23 5,561
AE Boys 0 #963 130 22,615
BR Girls 0 #992 1 12,708
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
MX Boys 0 #1,033 1 16,355
MY Boys 0 #1,042 70 25,439
MA 0 #1,110 19 20,986
CO Girls 0 #1,152 1 16,140
DZ 0 #1,166 11 20,130
IT Girls 0 #1,215 232 9,415
TR 0 #1,253 2 19,440
MX Girls 0 #1,267 1 17,781
ZA Boys 0 #1,268 5 25,619
SA Boys 0 #1,282 334 28,008
IT Boys 0 #1,448 24 10,046

Priya is popular in 78 countries — most recent births per country:

Canada
France
Scotland, United Kingdom
United States
Switzerland

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Priya

Priya is predominantly a girl's name.
Priya is a 2 syllable name, pronounced PREE-ya (IPA: /ˈpriː.jə/).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Preeya, Priyah, Pria, Priyaa, Priyā and Priyanka (related).
Yes, very popular — Priya ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 8 countries.
Priya ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Priya's popularity is declining significantly. It moved from #264 in 2014 to #275 in 2024 in Canada.
Yes — 7 notable people named Priya are in our database, including Priyamani (Actor), Priya Anand (Actor), Priya Prakash Varrier (Actor).