Saija is of Finnish origin, derived from the Finnish word 'saija', which means 'swan'. It's often used as a feminine given name in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. The name Saija is typically pronounced /'sai.ja/, with the stress on the first syllable and the 'j' sounding like 'y' in English words such as 'yes' or 'you'. This melodic name adds a touch of elegance and grace, reminiscent of its namesake bird, the swan.
The name Saija experienced a notable resurgence in popularity among parents in recent years, with the highest number of births occurring in 2021 and 2023, each having nine births. This trend is quite distinct from its earlier period between 1997 to 2004 when it maintained a steady yet lower average of five births per year.