riya

Riya is a feminine given name used in South Asia and among diaspora communities. It is common in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, and may be rendered as Riya, Riyaa, or Riya. The pronunciation is typically two syllables: ri-ya.

Etymology and meanings vary by language and tradition. In some contexts, the name is associated with elegance or grace. Baby-name sources sometimes cite meanings such as “singer,” “grace,” or “pursuit.” Because meanings differ culturally, the name is often chosen for its sound and positive associations rather than a single definitive meaning.

Usage and cultural context. Riya is widely used across Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, and Nepali-speaking communities, and has become common in Indian cinema and media. It is also a popular name in other South Asian communities and among the global Indian diaspora.

Notable people. Notable people named Riya include Indian actress and model Riya Sen (born 1981), who has appeared in a variety of Indian films and television projects.

Other uses. The term riya, transliterated from Arabic as riya or riyā, refers to ostentation or hypocrisy in religious display. It is linguistically and culturally distinct from the given name Riya, though the two terms may be phonetically similar.