Maya
Meaning of Maya
The name Maya is a beautiful and versatile choice for a baby girl, with deep roots and varied cultural significance. Originating from multiple sources, "Maya" can be traced back to Sanskrit, where it means "illusion" or "magic." In Hebrew, it signifies "water," while in Greek mythology, Maia is one of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes. Its pronunciation varies by language: in Italian and Spanish, it is pronounced as MAH-yah (/ˈma.ja/), while in English, it is commonly pronounced as MY-uh (/ˈmaɪə/). The name has several popular variations including Maia and Mya.
Maya has steadily gained popularity in the United States over recent decades. It first appeared on the radar in the mid-20th century but began its significant rise in the 1990s. By 2023, it ranked 50th with 4,067 occurrences. The consistent rise in its ranking reflects its growing appeal among parents who are drawn to its simplicity yet profound meaning.
Whether you're inspired by its mythological roots or its modern charm, Maya stands out as a timeless choice that resonates across cultures and languages.
Pronunciation
Italian
- Pronunced as MAH-yah (/ˈma.ja/)
Spanish
- Pronunced as MAH-yah (/ˈmaʝa/)
English
- Pronunced as MY-uh (/ˈmaɪə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Maya
| Maya Angelou was a renowned American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist, known for her extensive literary works and contributions to the arts and social justice. |
| Maya April Moore is a renowned social justice advocate and former professional basketball player, hailed as the greatest winner in the history of women's basketball by Sports Illustrated. |
| Maya Ying Lin is an American designer and sculptor known for winning the national design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1981. |
| Maya Rudolph is an American actress and comedian known for her work on Saturday Night Live and in films like 50 First Dates and A Prairie Home Companion. |
| Maya Kasandra Soetoro-Ng is an Indonesian-born American academic, faculty specialist, and consultant for the Obama Foundation, and is the maternal half-sister of Barack Obama. |
| Maya Wiley - Maya D. Wiley is an American lawyer, professor, and civil rights activist who has held various prominent positions in government and advocacy organizations. |
| Maya Widmaier-Picasso - María de la Concepción "Maya" Widmaier-Picasso, also known as Maya Ruiz-Picasso, was the eldest daughter of Pablo Picasso and dedicated her life to preserving her father's legacy. |
| Maya Reis Gabeira is a Brazilian big wave surfer who holds the Guinness World Record for surfing the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman. |
| Maya Lynne Robinson is a multi-talented American actress, writer, and producer, recognized for her roles as Geena in The Conners and Michelle in The Unicorn. |
| Maya Kazan is an American actress, best known for her role as Eleanor Gallinger on the television series The Knick (2014–2015). |
| Maya Forbes is an accomplished American screenwriter, television producer, and film director known for her work on Infinitely Polar Bear and The Larry Sanders Show. |
| Maya, also known as Kim Young-sook, is a popular South Korean pop rock singer and actress who debuted in 2003 with the album "Born To Do It," featuring the hit single "Azalea." |
| Maya Penn is a multi-talented American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and CEO of eco-friendly fashion company Maya's Ideas. |
| Alex Mathew, also known as Maya the Drag Queen or Mayamma, is a well-known drag queen from India. |
| Maya Jalloul is a Lebanese chess champion. |
