Maya Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Maya Name Meaning

Fact: In Greek mythology, Maya (or Maia) was one of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Maya Overview

Meaning

Illusion, magic

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew, Spanish, Greek

Etymology

Has a rich etymology with roots in several languages and cultures like Hebrew, Spanish, and Greek.

Religion

Hinduism

Pronunciation

/ˈmaɪə/

Popularity

Consistently popular in various cultures worldwide.

Syllable

1 syllable

Length

4 letters

Numerology

4 (Orderly, Steady, Service-oriented)

Name Styles

Popular, Mythological, Cute, Short, Religious and Spiritual

Associated Traits

Enchantment, mystery, elegance

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

In Hinduism, Maya represents the concept of cosmic illusion.
A Deep Dive

Maya Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Maia, Mya, Maiya, Maja, Mei, Miah, Mayah, Miia, Maija, Mai

Common Nicknames

Mimi, Mya, Yaya, Mayzie, Missy, Mayo, Masha

Diminutives

Mia, Mayla, Mini, Aya, Mae, May

Famous People

  • Maya Angelou
    (American Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist)
  • Maya Moore
    (American Basketball Player)
  • Maya Rudolph
    (American Actress, Comedian)
  • Maya Jama
    (British Presenter)
  • Maya DiRado
    (American Swimmer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Maya the Bee
    (TV Series)
  • Maya Bennett
    ("The Suite Life on Deck," TV Series)
  • Maya Matlin
    ("Degrassi," TV Series)

Places

  • Maya Bay
    (Krabi, Thailand)
  • Maya Beach
    (Belize)
  • El Mirador
    (Petén, Guatemala)

What Is the Meaning of Maya?

Maya means “illusion” or “magic.” In various cultures, it conveys the idea of something enchanting and mysterious.

What Is the Origin of The Name Maya?

Maya has multiple origins: it is Hebrew, Spanish, and Greek.

In Spanish, it can refer to the Mayan civilization. In Greek, it is associated with the mythological mother of Hermes. In Hebrew, it means “water.”

Maya Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Maya in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#552021#512022#502023
Top 3 Rankings#502023#512022#552021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Maya

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
202350
(+1 from 2022)
4067
(-168 from 2022)
0.23251
202251
(+4 from 2021)
4235
(+157 from 2021)
0.23619
202155
(+6 from 2020)
4078
(+336 from 2020)
0.22762
202061
(+3 from 2019)
3742
(-76 from 2019)
0.21169
201964
(-2 from 2018)
3818
(-99 from 2018)
0.20808
201862
(-2 from 2017)
3917
(-127 from 2017)
0.21063
201760
(+4 from 2016)
4044
(-45 from 2016)
0.21406
201664
(+4 from 2015)
4089
(-41 from 2015)
0.21122
201568
(+6 from 2014)
4130
(+173 from 2014)
0.21170
201474
(-2 from 2013)
3957
(+131 from 2013)
0.20227
201372
(-9 from 2012)
3826
(-153 from 2012)
0.19848
201263
(+1 from 2011)
3979
(-43 from 2011)
0.20516
201164
(+2 from 2010)
4022
(+52 from 2010)
0.20757
201066
(-5 from 2009)
3970
(-423 from 2009)
0.20248
200961
(+10 from 2008)
4393
(+124 from 2008)
0.21693
200871
(-9 from 2007)
4269
(-432 from 2007)
0.20496
200762
(-5 from 2006)
4701
(-346 from 2006)
0.22211
200657
(+16 from 2005)
5047
(+617 from 2005)
0.24142
200573
(+10 from 2004)
4430
(+664 from 2004)
0.21827
200483
(+1 from 2003)
3766
(-83 from 2003)
0.18664
200384
(+6 from 2002)
3849
(+304 from 2002)
0.19183
200290
(+20 from 2001)
3545
(+535 from 2001)
0.17949
2001110
(+3 from 2000)
3010
(-9 from 2000)
0.15195
2000113
No change from 1999
3019
(+165 from 1999)
0.15127
1999113
(+10 from 1998)
2854
(+169 from 1998)
0.14660
1998123
(+59 from 1997)
2685
(+1010 from 1997)
0.13851
1997182
(+19 from 1996)
1675
(+230 from 1996)
0.08773
1996201
(+26 from 1995)
1445
(+204 from 1995)
0.07537
1995227
(+20 from 1994)
1241
(+111 from 1994)
0.06458
1994247
(+24 from 1993)
1130
(+114 from 1993)
0.05797
1993271
(+97 from 1992)
1016
(+320 from 1992)
0.05153
1992368
(+75 from 1991)
696
(+121 from 1991)
0.03472
1991443
(-44 from 1990)
575
(-76 from 1990)
0.02828
1990399
(+218 from 1989)
651
(+307 from 1989)
0.03169
1989617
(+52 from 1988)
344
(+56 from 1988)
0.01727
1988669
(-14 from 1987)
288
(+1 from 1987)
0.01498
1987655
(+92 from 1986)
287
(+54 from 1986)
0.01531
1986747
(-51 from 1985)
233
(-18 from 1985)
0.01263
1985696
(-3 from 1984)
251
(+10 from 1984)
0.01359
1984693
(-86 from 1983)
241
(-49 from 1983)
0.01336
1983607
(-61 from 1982)
290
(-57 from 1982)
0.01620
1982546
(+24 from 1981)
347
(+24 from 1981)
0.01913
1981570
(-64 from 1980)
323
(-74 from 1980)
0.01806
1980506
(+7 from 1979)
397
(+12 from 1979)
0.02230
1979513
(+66 from 1978)
385
(+89 from 1978)
0.02234
1978579
(-48 from 1977)
296
(-47 from 1977)
0.01801
1977531
(+165 from 1976)
343
(+131 from 1976)
0.02085
1976696
(+63 from 1975)
212
(+25 from 1975)
0.01349
1975759
(+38 from 1974)
187
(+18 from 1974)
0.01198
1974797
(+166 from 1973)
169
(+46 from 1973)
0.01079
1973963
(-93 from 1972)
123
(-24 from 1972)
0.00791
1972870
(+77 from 1971)
147
(+12 from 1971)
0.00912
1971947
(-33 from 1970)
135
(-7 from 1970)
0.00770
1970914
(+215 from 1969)
142
(+46 from 1969)
0.00775
19691129
(+219 from 1968)
96
(+28 from 1968)
0.00545
19681348
(+355 from 1967)
68
(+23 from 1967)
0.00398
19671703
(-117 from 1966)
45
(-5 from 1966)
0.00262
19661586
(+618 from 1965)
50
(+21 from 1965)
0.00285
19652204
(-257 from 1964)
29
(-8 from 1964)
0.00159
19641947
(+596 from 1963)
37
(+14 from 1963)
0.00189
19632543
(-595 from 1962)
23
(-12 from 1962)
0.00116
19621948
(+890 from 1961)
35
(+16 from 1961)
0.00173
19612838
(-642 from 1960)
19
(-9 from 1960)
0.00091
19602196
(+401 from 1959)
28
(+8 from 1959)
0.00135
19592597
(+782 from 1958)
20
(+7 from 1958)
0.00096
19583379
(+111 from 1957)
13
(+1 from 1957)
0.00063
19573490
(+206 from 1956)
12
(+1 from 1956)
0.00057
19563696
(+372 from 1955)
11
(+2 from 1955)
0.00053
19554068
(-101 from 1954)
9
No change from 1954
0.00045
19543967
(-1154 from 1953)
9
(-6 from 1953)
0.00045
19532813
(+1670 from 1952)
15
(+8 from 1952)
0.00078
19524483
(-472 from 1951)
7
(-1 from 1951)
0.00037
19514011
(+305 from 1950)
8
(+1 from 1950)
0.00043
19504316
(-923 from 1949)
7
(-3 from 1949)
0.00040
19493393
(+1298 from 1943)
10
(+5 from 1943)
0.00057
19480
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19470
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19460
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19450
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19440
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19434691
(-70 from 1942)
5
No change from 1942
0.00035
19424621
(-272 from 1940)
5
No change from 1940
0.00036
19410
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19404349
First SSA data recorded
5
First SSA data recorded
0.00042
19390
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19380
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19370
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19360
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19350
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19340
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19330
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19320
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19310
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19300
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19290
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19280
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19270
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19260
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19250
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19240
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19230
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19220
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19210
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19200
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19190
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19180
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19170
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19160
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19150
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19140
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19120
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19110
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Maya

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#242021#272022#302023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#322021#372022#292023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#722021#612022#542023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#352021#432022#362023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#462021#582022#432023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#412021#312022#432023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#632021#712022#682023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#252021#172022#202023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#662021#812022#752023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#1032021#832022#1022023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#322021#242022#242023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#632021#472022#532023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#1092021#762022#782023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#512021#342022#442023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#772021#512022#562023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#1162021#932022#1002023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#442021#272022#362023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#672021#482022#692023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#742021#862022#732023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#532021#372022#282023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#1322021#1552022#972023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#242021#372022#272023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#1232021#992022#1262023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#1212021#1192022#1462023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#742021#632022#722023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#32021#82022#52023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#2542021#1382022#1862023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#1142021#1162022#1192023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#482021#402022#642023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#892021#562022#1362023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#842021#712022#332023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#1142021#872022#1392023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#212021#232022#122023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#1632021#1362022#1642023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#3322021#2162022#1902023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#2532021#1212022#1982023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#992021#982022#1662023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#2232021#1152022#2862023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#462021#412022#402023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#1302021#852022#1052023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#5222020#3482022#3052023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#872021#582022#442023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#892021#982022#942023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1092021#362022#292023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#632021#712022#762023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1622021#1522022#1012023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#2662021#1622022#2192023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#542019#832022#592023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1812020#1952021#1922022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1702017#1552020#1932021

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#772018#812019#382020

Popularity Rankings for Maya in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#132021#152022#162023

Popularity in Romania

Romania flagRomania#152014#162015

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#262021#342022#282023

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#282021#482022#592023

Popularity in Other American Territories

American Samoa flag American Samoa
Guam flag Guam
Northern Mariana Islands flag Northern Mariana Islands
U.S. Virgin Islands flag U.S. Virgin Islands

Other American Territories flagOther American Territories#332014#362016#282019

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#342019#322020#292021

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#512021#452022#342023

Popularity in Russia (Moscow)

Russia (Moscow) flagRussia (Moscow)#362022#402023#422024

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#582020#652021#432022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#832020#632021#802022

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#812021#642022#1102023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#662020#672021#732022

Popularity in France

France flagFrance#682020#782021#782022

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#862021#902022#722023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#832020#792021#722022

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#792021#842022#772023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#862022#912023

Popularity in Greenland

Greenland flagGreenland#902019#1152020#1372021

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1342021#1382022#1282023

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1812021#2972022#1652023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2032016#2402017#2672021

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Maya a Name for Boys or Girls?

Maya is primarily a name for baby girls as it has a soft, melodic sound.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Maya

Maya in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Maya Angelou (Poet, Memoirist, Civil Rights Activist, 1928–2014): An influential American author and activist known for her series of seven autobiographies, including "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
  • Maya Moore (Professional Basketball Player, born 1989): An American WNBA player celebrated for her role with the Minnesota Lynx and her multiple Olympic gold medals .
  • Maya Rudolph (Actress and Comedian, born 1972): Known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and films like "Bridesmaids."
  • Maya Jama (TV and Radio Presenter, born 1994): A British presenter known for her work on BBC Radio 1 and television programs like "The Circle."
  • Maya DiRado (Swimmer, Olympic Gold Medalist, born 1993): An American competitive swimmer who won multiple medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics .
  • Maya Gabeira (Big Wave Surfer, born 1987): A Brazilian big wave surfer and world record holder for the largest wave ever surfed by a woman .
  • "Maya the Bee" (1975 TV Series): Follows a young bee named Maya and her adventures in the meadow.
  • Maya Bennett ("The Suite Life on Deck," 2008 TV Series): A character known for her environmental activism and relationship with one of the main characters, Zack Martin.
  • Maya Matlin ("Degrassi," 2001 TV Series): A character from the "Degrassi" television series, known for her musical talent and overcoming personal challenges.
  • Maya Bay (Krabi, Thailand): A stunningly beautiful bay that became famous through the movie "The Beach."
  • Maya Beach (Belize): Located on the Placencia Peninsula, it is known for its laid-back atmosphere and beautiful sandy beaches.

Similar Names to Maya

Sibling Names for Maya

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