Maya Name Meaning
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Maya is most often seen as a girl name. Learn more about the meaning, origin, and popularity of the name Maya.
Fact checked by Karen Cilli
The name Maya has been linked to several origins. As a result, it has several meanings. It’s most commonly linked to Indian traditions, where it means “dream” or “illusion” in Sanskrit, the sacred language of Hinduism. It is also considered an alternative name for Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, love, beauty, and joy.
In Greek, Maya means “good mother.” The Greek variation of the name is also sometimes spelled Maia. In Greek mythology, Maya was the mother of the Greek god Hermes, son of Zeus. She was also the eldest of the Pleiades, who were the seven daughters of the titan Atlas. The Romans also lay claim to the origin of the name Maya. They believe that Maya was the earth’s mother and goddess of spring. The month of May is named in her honor.
In Hebrew, Maya is thought to mean “water,” derived from the word “Mayim” of the same meaning. It could also mean “from God.” The name Maya is also sometimes given in honor of the Maya people of southern Mexico and some parts of Central America.
In most cultures, Maya is used by parents to name their female children but it’s a beautiful name linked to a wealth of culture and history that can be used for any gender. Maya is also a common surname in some cultures.
Origin: Maya has been linked to several origins. The most common origins are Indian, Greek, Spanish, and Hebrew.
Gender: Maya has been used primarily as a female name in most cultures.
Pronunciation: My-ah
Editor's Note
Although many baby names are often separated by gender, Parents believes that sex does not need to play a role in your name selection process. It’s important to select a name that you feel suits your new baby the best.
Willie B Thomas / Getty Images
How Popular Is the Name Maya?
The name Maya hasn’t always been popular in the United States. The name experienced a temporary surge in popularity in the early 1980s before dipping again. It started to experience another surge in popularity in the 1990s and has remained trendy ever since.
According to data from the Social Security Administration, Maya was the 51st most popular name for girls in 2022. In the last decade, it has remained consistently in the top 100 most popular names for girls. The peak of its popularity was in 2006 when over 5,000 babies were given the name.
The rise of the popularity of the name Maya can be linked to the fame of renowned poet and author Maya Angelou. Interestingly, Maya Angelou wasn’t born with the name Maya. Her birth name was Marguerite Johnson. She got the nickname Maya because of her brother’s inability to pronounce her name. Instead, he called her "mya sister."
Name Variations
Maya has several name variations you might want to consider. Some of them include:
Maia (Greek)
Maiya (Japanese)
Maj (Swedish, Danish)
Maja (Danish, Croatian, German, Norweigan)
Meya (Scandinavian)
Miah (Spanish)
Miya (Japanese)
Similar Names
If you love the sound of the name Maya and are looking for other similar-sounding names, here’s a list to consider:
Kaya
Layla
Mackenzie
Madison
Maha
Manon
Maria
May
Mia
Mila
Mimi
Minnie
Miya
Moana
Muna
Myra
Related: 35 Baby Names That Start With the Letter "M"
Common Nicknames for Maya
A cute nickname might not be needed since the name Maya is already short and sweet. However, some possible shortened versions include May, Mai, and Yaya.
Famous People Named Maya
When you hear the name Maya, you likely think of Maya Angelou, who was one of the greatest poets and writers of all time. Here’s a list of some other inspiring people who baby Mayas share the name with:
Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam, British rapper and singer
Maya Berovic, Bosnian pop star
Maya Hawke, American actress, and model
Maya Lin, American designer, sculptor, and architect
Maya Rudolph, American actress and a former member of the Saturday Night Live cast
Maya Soetoro-Ng, half-sister of former President Barack Obama
Maya Wiley, American lawyer and civil rights activist
More Baby Names
Still searching for the perfect baby name? Check out these related baby name lists for even more options:
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Read the original article on Parents.
