How to say it
MEE · uh
ˈmi.ə
Feminine
Mia
Mine, or 'bitter'
What it means
Originally a diminutive of Maria (the Italian and Scandinavian short form). In Italian, mia also means 'mine,' which gives the name a sweet folk reading. Maria itself comes from Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'bitter' or 'beloved' (disputed).
Mia stayed a nickname for most of its history before shifting to a standalone first name in the late 20th century. By the 2010s it was US top ten for girls, where it still sits. Spanish Mía (with accent) is widely used across Latin America and one of the more common short-vowel girls' names in US Latino communities. The Italian Mia carries the 'mine' meaning naturally. Common alternative spelling: Mya. The name's brevity is part of the appeal: three letters, immediate, easy to say.
How to spell Mia
The standard spelling is Mia. Common variants include Mya, Miya, Mía, but Mia is the most widely used form.
Popularity over time
peaked at #5 in 2024, currently #6 in 2025.
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed July 2026. See where the names are moving
Heads-up notes
- Nickname
Often a given name in its own right, sometimes a short for Amelia or Maria. Either intent is current.
Who's worn it
Historical figures, characters, and public faces who share the name. The cultural surface, for whatever weight you want to give it.
- Mia Farrow Actress, Rosemary's Baby
- Mia Hamm US women's national soccer team, two-time World Cup winner
- Mia Wallace Uma Thurman's character in Pulp Fiction
Spelling variants
- Mya
- Miya
- Mía
Names with the same feeling
See Mia from another angle
By meaning
By style
Common questions
- What does the name Mia mean?
- Originally a diminutive of Maria (the Italian and Scandinavian short form). In Italian, mia also means 'mine,' which gives the name a sweet folk reading. Maria itself comes from Hebrew Miriam, meaning 'bitter' or 'beloved' (disputed).
- What does Mia mean in Italian?
- In Italian, Mia means "Mine, or 'bitter'." Mia stayed a nickname for most of its history before shifting to a standalone first name in the late 20th century. By the 2010s it was US top ten for girls, where it still sits. Spanish Mía (with accent) is widely used across Latin America and one of the more common short-vowel girls' names in US Latino communities. The Italian Mia carries the 'mine' meaning naturally. Common alternative spelling: Mya. The name's brevity is part of the appeal: three letters, immediate, easy to say.
- Is Mia short for Maria?
- Yes. Mia is a short form of Maria, and it carries the same meaning, "Mine, or 'bitter'." These days many parents use Mia as a given name in its own right, not only as a nickname.
- How do you pronounce Mia?
- Mia is pronounced ˈmi.ə. Say it as MEE-uh, with the stress on the "mee" syllable.
- How do you spell Mia?
- The standard spelling is Mia. Common spelling variants include Mya, Miya, Mía.
- Is Mia a boy or girl name?
- Mia is traditionally a feminine name.
- How popular is the name Mia?
- Mia ranked #6 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.