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Nadia

/NAH-dee-ya/Fulani & Luganda & Hausa & Lingala & Swahili · a girl’s name

“The spelling has multiple origins. As Arabic Nadiya/Nādiyah it is commonly glossed “dewy,” “fresh,” or “moist”; as a Slavic form it is associated with “hope.” It does not directly mean “tender-hearted.””

In Fulani

How to say it
NAH-dee-ya
Given to
Girls
Used in
Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Mali
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

NadiaNadiya

From the same family

01Nadir“Rare and precious”Fulanimale→︎02Nadira“Rare, exceptional, or precious.”Fulanifemale→︎03Asmau“Exalted and lofty; a name expressing high hopes for a daughter”Fulanifemale→︎04Bashir“A bearer of good news and joyful hope”Fulanimale→︎05Faiza“Victorious and successful; a hopeful name for a daughter who will flourish”Fulanifemale→︎06Matar“Rain; a hopeful blessing from the sky”Fulanimale→︎07Najat“A hopeful name for a child whose life brings relief and grace”Fulanifemale→︎08Noura“Light, suggesting divine guidance and hope”Fulanifemale→︎09Saadia“Fortunate and blessed, with hopes of happiness and prosperity”Fulanifemale→︎10Yusra“Ease, comfort, and hopeful prosperity”Fulanifemale→︎

In Luganda

How to say it
NAH-dee-ah
Given to
Girls
Used in
Uganda
How common
uncommon

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

Nadia

Nicknames & short forms

Nadi

From the same family

01Asha“Hope (in Swahili usage); it is not a Luganda floral name.”Lugandafemale→︎02Balikuddembe“Those who have brought peace; a hopeful name celebrating harmony after difficulty.”Lugandaany→︎03Bulamu“Life—a blessing expressing gratitude for the child’s life and hopes for a long future.”Lugandaany→︎04Mulindwa“The awaited one, a tender name for a child whose arrival was long hoped for by the family.”Lugandamale→︎05Musoke“Rainbow — a bright, hopeful name associated with beauty after rain”Lugandamale→︎06Namagembe“Peaceful; a hopeful name wishing a girl a life of peace and harmony.”Lugandafemale→︎07Nampiima“A grateful, thankful child—a joyful answer to the family’s hopes and prayers.”Lugandafemale→︎08Namusoke“Rainbow — a joyful name evoking colour, hope and new beginnings after rain”Lugandafemale→︎09Prosper“Prosperous and flourishing, with hopes for a life of abundance”Lugandamale→︎10Suubi“Hope—a simple, uplifting name for a child who represents brighter days ahead.”Lugandaany→︎11Zawedde“Completed or fulfilled—a hopeful name for a long-awaited child or for a future brought to fruition.”Lugandaany→︎

In Hausa

How to say it
NAH-dee-ah
Given to
Girls
Used in
Nigeria, Niger
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

NadiaNadiya

From the same family

01Nadifa“Pure-hearted and clean in spirit”Hausafemale→︎02Nadim“Companion, confidant, or convivial companion; traditionally also a companion at a drinking gathering.”Hausamale→︎03Nadir“Rare and precious”Hausamale→︎04Nadira“Rare and precious”Hausafemale→︎05Nadiya“Tender and delicate”Hausafemale→︎

In Lingala

How to say it
NAH-dee-ah
Given to
Girls
Used in
DR Congo, Congo-Brazzaville
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

Nadia

Nicknames & short forms

Nadi

From the same family

01Elikia“Hope and hopeful expectation—a child who fills the family’s future with promise”Lingalaany→︎02Elikya“Hope and trust in God”Lingalaany→︎03Esperance“Hope”Lingalafemale→︎04Espoir“hope”Lingalamale→︎05Nadege“Hope; French Nadège is a form related to Russian Nadezhda/Nadia.”Lingalafemale→︎06Roxane“Dawn and brightness—a hopeful new beginning”Lingalafemale→︎

In Swahili

How to say it
NAH-dee-ah
Given to
Girls
Used in
Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
How common
common

Every way to write it

The name & its alternative spellings

NadiaNadiyaNadya

From the same family

01Nadifa“Pure-hearted and wholesome”Swahilifemale→︎02Nadir“Arabic-derived name meaning “rare” or “precious””Swahilimale→︎03Nadira“Rare and precious”Swahilifemale→︎