Raia

♀ Girl

Pronounced RY-ə /ˈraɪ.ə/High

Meaning: Variant of Raya, a Hebrew name meaning 'friend, companion'Medium

In 30 seconds: An i-spelled Raya meaning 'friend' in Hebrew — with a Slavic life tied to 'paradise' and a Disney warrior princess for star power. Small name, generous meanings.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Bulgarian

MeaningVariant of Raya, a Hebrew name meaning 'friend, companion'

U.S. rank (2025)#4331 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births33 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2024

Total births (all-time)≈ 410

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

Raia is a variant of Raya, which in Hebrew means 'friend, companion' — the word sung in the Song of Songs for the beloved. In Bulgaria and Russia, Raya lives separately as a pet form of Raina and Raisa, warmly associated with rai, 'paradise'; and in 2021 Disney gave the sound a sword-bearing heroine.

The i-spelling appears rarely in U.S. records, an alternative that sidesteps Raya's growing familiarity. It remains an uncommon, friendly-by-definition pick.

Did you know? Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon (2021) introduced the first Southeast Asia-inspired Disney princess — and sent every spelling of Raya, including Raia, gently upward.

Overall data confidence 75%

Behind the Name — Raya — multi-origin background

Variations

RayaRayahRaiya

Nicknames

Rai

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Raia…

Raya— the standard spelling of the same name

Maia— a fellow two-syllable -aia beauty

Kaia— shares the vowel-bright modern minimalism

Reya— the sister spelling with an e

Explore names like Raia

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Raia mean?

Raia is a variant of Raya, Hebrew for 'friend, companion'; in Bulgarian use it links to Raina and the word for 'paradise'.

How do you pronounce Raia?

It's said RY-ə /ˈraɪ.ə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Raia a boy or girl name?

Raia is a girl's name.

How popular is Raia?

Raia is a rare spelling in the U.S.; Raya is the better-known form.