The current trend among Catalan parents leans towards short, resonant names that are easy to pronounce internationally. This preference has catapulted Mia, which, with 320 registered babies, ranks just behind Sofía/Sofia, Júlia/Julia, Martina, and Ona in the official ranking.
Mia is largely considered a derived form of Maria, stemming from the Hebrew Miriam. Its meaning is associated with concepts such as 'beloved of God', 'desired', or 'the chosen one', providing a symbolic and spiritual weight that appeals to many families.
This blend of biblical tradition and international projection explains much of the magnetism that has boosted its popularity in Catalonia.
Its linguistic versatility, working perfectly in Catalan, Spanish, and English, makes it a practical choice for multilingual environments. This surge occurs despite 2024 registering a historic low in birth rates in Catalonia, with 53,793 babies born, 0.8% less than the previous year.
Another name that has also gained ground is Vega, of pre-Roman origin meaning 'fertile plain' and which also refers to the brightest star in the Lyra constellation, associated with the idea of 'shining with its own light'.
