Maier

German surname or Hebrew

"landlord, farmer; bringer of light"

Maier Origin and Meaning

The name Maier is a boy's name.

Maier is a German surname that has been adopted as a given name. It derives from the Middle High German word 'meier,' meaning 'steward,' 'tenant farmer,' or 'village headman' - someone who managed land for a landlord. As a masculine given name, Maier has remained relatively uncommon, primarily used in German-speaking regions and among families with German heritage. The name carries connotations of responsibility, management, and agricultural tradition. Alternative spellings include Meyer, Mayer, and Meier, though these variants are more commonly found as surnames rather than first names. Maier represents a connection to Germanic cultural heritage and administrative responsibility.