Gia is an Italian short form of Gianna or Giovanna, the feminine forms of Giovanni, which is John and means "God is gracious". It is short, bright and glamorous, and American parents often use it on its own rather than as a nickname. Gia has been in the US top 1000 throughout this century, climbed from number 950 in 2000 to a peak of 268 in 2022 and ranks 287th among girls' names in 2025.