Kia

♂ Boy

Pronounced KEE-uh /ˈkiː.ə/Medium

Meaning: Kia is a short name of several unrelated roots (a short form in various languages, and a well-known car brand from Korean words for 'rising from Asia'). As a boy's given name here it carries no single settled meaning; routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A short, bright name: Kia reads as a modern pick of varied roots (said 'KEE-uh'). Its routes are uncertain, which we note.

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Origin LowAmerican

MeaningKia is a short name of several unrelated roots (a short form in various languages, and a well-known car brand from Korean words for 'rising from Asia'). As a boy's given name here it carries no single settled meaning; routes uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#11684 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1993

Total births (all-time)≈ 196

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Kia is a short name that turns up across cultures as a diminutive and a word; it is also a well-known car brand from Korean roots. As a given name it carries no single settled meaning, and its routes are uncertain, which we note. A bright two-beat pick (said 'KEE-uh').

It appears only very rarely for boys in the U.S. Rare, short, and modern.

Did you know? Kia is a short name of several unrelated roots and a familiar brand name; as a boy's given name its routes are uncertain, which we note (said 'KEE-uh').

Overall data confidence 30%

References - Kia — short name of varied roots; routes uncertain

Variations

KiahKya

Nicknames

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kia…

Kai— a like short vowel-bright name

Kian— a like Ki- pick

Tia— a like short -ia sound choice

Leo— a like short bright name

Explore names like Kia

By themeuncertain modern short

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kia mean?

Kia is a short name of several unrelated roots with no single settled meaning; its routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kia?

It's said KEE-uh /ˈkiː.ə/ - two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Kia a boy or girl name?

Kia is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Kia?

Kia is a very rare name for boys in the U.S.