Nima is a unisex given name of Persian origin. It has two primary meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
In Persian, Nima means "wished for" or "desired". This usage is common in Iran and other parts of the Persian-speaking world. In this sense, the name is often given to express a desire for a child, or as a symbol of hope and aspiration.
However, outside of Persia, particularly in countries like India, Nima can also be found as a unisex name with a different meaning. In these contexts, it means "light" or "illumination". This usage is likely due to the influence of Sanskrit, which has words that sound similar to Nima and have related meanings.
The use of the name Nima is not well-documented in historical records, but its popularity as a given name can be traced back at least to the 20th century. Today, it is used worldwide, with notable instances including the Iranian poet Nima Yušij and the Indian actress Nima Arora.
In terms of its popularity, Nima has not ranked particularly high in any country's top baby names lists. However, it does have a steady presence, suggesting that it is viewed as a name of enduring appeal rather than one that trends briefly before falling out of favor again. Its universality, with meanings related to light and desire, makes it a suitable choice for parents seeking a name with a positive connotation but not tied to any specific cultural heritage.
The name Nima has a fluctuating popularity over the years in the United States, with a total of 351 births recorded between 1921 and 2023. The highest number of births occurred in 2013 with 16 babies named Nima, followed by 2018 with 15 births.
The name Nima experienced a resurgence in popularity during the late 1970s to early 1980s, with at least five births each year from 1980 to 1985. This trend continued throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, with a consistent number of babies named Nima each year.
More recently, the popularity of the name has seen some fluctuations, with a high of 15 births in both 2018 and 2020, followed by a slight dip to 9 births in 2021. However, it appears that the name is still gaining traction, as there were also 11 births recorded in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, while Nima may not be one of the most popular names in the United States, its consistent presence over the years indicates that it remains a favored choice for parents.