Nyota

Nyota is a given name of Swahili origin meaning "star." In Swahili, nyota is the everyday word for star, and the name has been adopted as a personal name in East Africa and among Swahili-speaking communities worldwide. It is commonly given to girls in many Swahili-speaking regions and among the African diaspora.

In popular culture, Nyota is best known as the given name of Nyota Uhura, a fictional Starfleet officer in the Star Trek franchise. Uhura serves as the communications officer aboard the starship USS Enterprise in the original series and its later films. The character debuted in 1966, and her prominence helped popularize the name beyond Swahili-speaking communities.

Etymology and usage: The name derives directly from the Swahili noun nyota, reflecting the meaning "star." As a contemporary given name, it is part of a broader pattern in East Africa of using everyday words as personal names, often carrying positive or aspirational associations.