Mia

At a Glance

Origin

Germanic (diminutive of Maria, German/Dutch/Scandinavian)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

MEE-uhListen

Mia is a short, modern-feeling name for a parent researching it, though it actually traces back further than it sounds: it started as a Germanic pet form of Maria, used in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian naming traditions. It's pronounced MEE-uh. You may have come across the idea that Mia means 'mine,' borrowed from Italian or Latin — that's just a coincidental resemblance, not where the name actually comes from.

Meaning & Origin of Mia

Origin: Germanic (diminutive of Maria, German/Dutch/Scandinavian).

A common claim: Mia is widely believed to mean 'mine,' from Italian/Latin mia. Actually: Mia doesn't mean 'mine' — that's a folk association with the unrelated Italian/Latin word; it's actually a pet form of Maria in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Mia

Popularity of Mia

Mia currently ranks #5 in the U.S. as of 2024, with 12,113 babies given the name that year — the same spot as its all-time high.

Names Like Mia

These names share Mia’s style, era or origin.

• Bianca
• Ana
• Ava
• Isla
• Mara
• Sofie

FAQ

What does the name Mia mean?

Mia is widely believed to mean ‘mine,’ from Italian/Latin mia. Mia doesn’t mean ‘mine’ — that’s a folk association with the unrelated Italian/Latin word; it’s actually a pet form of Maria in German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages.

How do you pronounce Mia?

Mia is pronounced MEE-uh (IPA: /ˈmiːə/).

Is Mia a popular name right now?

Mia is at its highest recorded popularity right now, ranked #5 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1933–2024.)

Make Mia Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Mia, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.