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Kriya
Pronounced KREE-yuh /ˈkriː.jə/Medium
Meaning: Kriya is Sanskrit for 'action, deed; a completed act,' and names a spiritual practice (kriya yoga) — a disciplined technique of movement and breath. A meaning-rich name still used in India, noted respectfully.Low
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
Kriya derives from the Sanskrit for 'action, deed,' and is well known as the name of kriya yoga, a practice of disciplined movement and breath. It reads as a meaning-rich, gently spiritual name, rare in the U.S. and noted respectfully (said 'KREE-yuh').
In the U.S. it appears only very rarely, mostly in Indian families. Rare, meaning-rich, and serene.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Kriya mean?
Kriya is Sanskrit for 'action, deed' and names a spiritual practice, kriya yoga.
How do you pronounce Kriya?
It's said KREE-yuh /ˈkriː.jə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Kriya a boy or girl name?
Kriya is used as a girl's name.
How popular is Kriya?
Kriya is rare in the U.S., mostly among Indian families.