Maya

Greek mythology name; Central American Indian empire name; Latinate variation of May; Spanish, diminutive of Amalia; variation of Maia; Hebrew

"water"

Maya Origin and Meaning

The name Maya is a girl's name of Hebrew, Spanish, Greek origin meaning "water".

In addition to being the name of a Central American culture, Maya was the legendary Greek mother of Hermes by Zeus, and means "illusion" in Sanskrit and Eastern Pantheism. It can also be spelled Maia, though both names have so many possible origins and meanings that not all of them are related. To the Romans, Maia/Maya was the incarnation of the earth mother and goddess of spring, after whom they named the month of May.

Maya, which has an almost mystical image, has been steadily climbing in popularity.

Famed author Maya Angelou was born Marguerite; Maya was coined by her brother saying "mya sister." Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke's daughter is Maya Ray; British designer Phoebe Philo also has a Maya, named for Angelou. Its best known current bearers include performer Maya Rudolph and architect Maya Lin.

Maya Popularity

• 61 US 2020
• 97 Nameberry 2021
• 99 Future 2028
• 32 England 2020
• 32 Scotland 2020
• 55 Ireland 2020
• 60 Australia 2020
• 91 New Zealand 2020
• 69 France 2020
• 26 Germany 2017
• 83 Belgium 2020
• 66 Switzerland 2020
• 152 Poland 2020
• 2 Israel 2019
• 46 Dogs 2020