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. She was named after the month of May. 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.
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 rather popular since then. According to 2020 data from the Social Security Administration, Maya is currently the 61st most popular name for girls in the United States. 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 African-American poet and author Maya Angelou. Interestingly, Maya Angelou wasn’t born with the name Maya. Her birth name was Marguerite Johnson. Maya was formed as a result 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 when thinking of the name for your baby. 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 Mackenzie Madison Maha Manon Maria May Mia Mila Mimi Minnie Miya Moana Muna Myra
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 our time. Here’s a list of some other inspiring people who your baby will share a 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 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
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