Mya

This distinctive spelling was popularized by the R&B singer Mya (Harrison) and entered the US Top 100 in 2009 after the singer appeared on Dancing with the Stars. While it has since declined in the US, it remains in the Top 100 in France, the Top 200 in Belgium, and the Top 300 in England and Wales.

For such a simple name, it has a variety of origins behind it. On one hand, it could be a variation of Maia, the name of a figure in Greek mythology, associated with nurturing, midwifery, and the cluster of stars known as the Pleiades. In this case, the name means "mother, dame".

On the other hand, it could be linked to the Roman Maia, the embodiment of growth, and linked to the earth and the month of May. From this origin, the name means "larger, greater" from maior, maius.

Another possibility is that the name is used as a variation of Maia or Maja, used in Slavic, Scandinavian, Spanish, Basque, and German speaking countries as a diminutive form of Maria, meaning "bitter" or "beloved". Similarly, it may be used as an alternative spelling of the popular Mia, another Maria short form, though this would change the pronunciation to MEE-uh.

Mya is also used as a Burmese (unisex) name, adapted from the word for "emerald". In this case, the pronunciation is slightly shorter, as the name is said as MYAH.

Other sources indicate that Mya is associated with the indigenous Maya people of Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, and El Salvador, along with the ancient Maya civilization.

Mya is also given to boys.

Pronounced MY-uh.

As of October 2026, Mya ranked #444 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #97 in 2009.