Kiah

♂ Boy

Pronounced KYE-uh /ˈkaɪ.ə/Low

Meaning: Kiah is a short unisex name with several possible routes: a clipped form of Keziah (Hebrew, 'cassia'), a spin on Kia/Kai, or an Australian name sometimes tied to an Aboriginal word for a place or for 'beautiful'. It leans to girls in the U.S. Routes uncertain.Low

In 30 seconds: A short, soft unisex pick: Kiah reads as a cousin of Kai and Keziah (said 'KYE-uh'). It leans to girls — we note the lean.

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Origin LowEnglish

MeaningKiah is a short unisex name with several possible routes: a clipped form of Keziah (Hebrew, 'cassia'), a spin on Kia/Kai, or an Australian name sometimes tied to an Aboriginal word for a place or for 'beautiful'. It leans to girls in the U.S. Routes uncertain.

U.S. rank (2024)#13299 ↘ Falling

2024 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2001

Total births (all-time)≈ 264

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

Kiah is a compact modern name with more than one plausible story: a shortening of biblical Keziah, a soft extension of Kai, or an Australian place-and-word name. None is settled, so routes are uncertain, which we note. It is used for both sexes and leans toward girls in the U.S. (said 'KYE-uh').

For boys it appears only rarely, against heavier girls' use. Rare, short, and unisex.

Did you know? Kiah works as a mini-Keziah, a spin on Kai, and an Australian name all at once — which is why its routes stay uncertain. In the U.S. it is used more for girls, which we note (said 'KYE-uh').

Overall data confidence 32%

References — Kiah — Keziah short form / Kai variant / Australian word name; routes uncertain

Variations

KiaKyaKai

Nicknames

KiKai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Kiah…

Kai— the short name it most echoes

Keziah— the biblical name it can shorten

Kian— a like soft two-beat pick

Zaire— a like modern unisex-leaning name

Explore names like Kiah

By themeuncertain modern unisex short

By meaningBeauty

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Kiah mean?

Kiah reads as a short form of Keziah, a spin on Kai, or an Australian word name. Routes are uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Kiah?

It's said KYE-uh /ˈkaɪ.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first; some families say 'KEE-uh'.

Is Kiah a boy or girl name?

Here Kiah is used as a boy's name, but it is unisex and leans toward girls in the U.S. — we note the lean.

How popular is Kiah?

Kiah is a rare name for boys in the U.S., and somewhat more common for girls.