"Nia" is most definitely a word in the Swahili language, but that does not mean it is used as a name in Swahili culture. So the fact that it has a meaning in Swahili does not mean it can't also be a name created by African-Americans from the Swahili word. There are many other examples, like Colleen and Cherie, of English speakers creating names from words in other languages that were not used as names in the original language.
Nia Teppelin is a protagonist in the anime Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagan. She is Simon's love interest.Nia Peeples (Virenia Gwendolyn Peeples) is an American R&B and dance music singer and actress. She played Pam Fields in Pretty Little Liars, Karen Taylor Winters in The Young and the Restless and Sydney Cooke on Walker, Texas Ranger. She also played Grace's mom, Susan, in The Fosters. Her parents are Elizabeth Joan Peeples (born Rubic) and Robert Eugene Peeples. She was born in Hollywood but was raised in West Covina. Her most successful singles include Trouble and Street of Dreams. She started as a part of the performance group The Young Americans. She was born in 1961.Nia Temple Sanchez (born 1990) is an American model and television presenter. She won the beauty pageant Miss USA 2014. She is the first contestant from Nevada to do so. She represented the US in Miss Universe 2014. Her parents are David Sanchez and Nicole Sanford. She was born in Sacramento (California), but she has also lived in Menifee (California), Henderson (Nevada) and Los Angeles (California). She has competed in Miss San Jacinto Valley, Miss Citrus Valley, Miss America Latina, Miss California USA 2010, Miss Riverside County USA 2011, Miss Hollywood USA 2012, Miss California USA 2011, Miss South Las Vegas USA, Miss Nevada USA 2014, Miss USA 2014, Miss Universe 2014, Miss Turismo Latina 2009, Reina Mundial del Banano 2011.
Nia Vardalos is a Greek-Canadian-American actress, screenwriter, director, and producer. She is known best for writing and starring in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Her full name is Antonia Eugenia Vardalos.
Nia is also one of the seven days of Kwanza. On this day you think about your purpose in life.
― Anonymous User 12/29/2006
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I'm not sure that the usage of this name is really "African." As I understand it, Nia is one of those names created by African-Americans from a word in the Swahili language, but it is not used as a given name in the areas of East Africa where Swahili is the native tongue.
I disagree about the name being "one of those names created by African-Americans" and of it being "terrible" or "worst of the lot". Nia is NOT an invented name! It has a valid, authentic meaning in the Swahili language. Alternatively, if you hate the Swahili meaning, Nia also happens to be the Welsh form of the Irish name Niamh meaning "bright" or "radiant".
― Anonymous User 4/6/2014
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There is also Nia the Kenyan Engine, one of the new engines from Thomas and Friends.