Origin, Meaning, And History Of Mia

The name Mia derives from the Hebrew name Miryam. It is one of those unique names that have diverse origins. The word has roots in Latin, Spanish, Italian, and even Egyptian languages. In Spanish and Italian languages, it means ‘mine.’ This name is also a derivation of ‘mila,’ a Slavic word implying ‘dear’ or ‘darling.’ Mia has also been a short version of the word Michal, an Israeli name. In Scandinavian countries, it is an abbreviation of Maria. In the 1960s, this cute and short name was officially registered in the US. It was only a matter of three decades before it surged in popularity. The 1990s and early 2000s witnessed a consistent increase in the usage of this name. By 2020, it became the 8th most popular baby name for girls in the US. The early rise in the popularity of Mia can be attributed to Mia Farrow, the American actress, and activist. In 1964, Farrow came into the limelight for her performance in the show ‘Peyton Place.’ She also took the role of Rosemary Woodhouse in the 1968 American psychological horror film ‘Rosemary’s Baby.’ This iconic film was based on a well-known novel of the same name. Another notable personality that fuelled the name’s fame is Maya Arulpragasam, whose byname is M.I.A. Born in July 1975, this British-born Sri Lankan rapper acquired global fame with her politically charged dance music. Her single ‘Galang’ in 2003 was an instant hit in the European club scene. The distinct blend of politically aware world music, bass-based hip-hop, and South London dancehall patois caught people’s attention on the internet and became massively popular. Even celebrities like Ian Ziering, Kate Winslet, Laura Innes, Peter Frampton, and Steven Tyler have given this adorable name to their daughters. In fiction, too, Mia has been commonly used. Be it Amelia Mignonette Grimaldi Thermopolis Renaldo “Mia” in The Princess Diaries, Mia Smoak in the T.V. show Arrow, or Mia Wallace in the 1994 movie Pulp Fiction, this name has gained plenty of fame.

How To Pronounce Mia?

Mia On The Popularity Chart

Mia is a favorite amongst many new parents. Check out these graphs to understand its ranking and popularity over time.

Popularity Over Time

Undeniably, Mia’s popularity has been increasing over the past three decades. The greatest peak in its usage occurred in 2015, with over 14,000 babies(per million) being named Mia. Here is a graphic representation of the popularity over time.

Rank Over Time

In 1984, Mia was ranked 463. But eventually, in 2000, it rose to an impressive 93rd position. The name has been in the top 10 lists from 2009 to 2021. Check out this graph to gauge its increase in ranking over time.

Names With Similar Sound As Mia

Although Mia is a lovely name, you may want to give your little one a name that means something different. Here are the top similar-sounding names.

Name Numerology For Mia