Alternatives To Maya
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Effortlessly cross-cultural and easily chic, Maya is a favorite with many possible origins. Here are some alternatives.
- Adaya
- Amaia
Origin:
Spanish or BasqueMeaning:
"high place or end"Description:
This pretty and uncommon Basque name is all but unheard of in this country. Amaya is a spelling variation as well as a similar Japanese name meaning "night rain." With the newfound popularity of Amara and Amora, Amaia and Amaya are among the Spanish names for girls we'll be hearing a lot more of in the US.
- Amaya
Origin:
Spanish version of Amaia or JapaneseMeaning:
"mother city; the end; night rain"Description:
The Spanish form of Amaya is both a given name and a surname, originating from the Spanish mountain and village of Amaya. In this context it means "mother city" or "the capital." Amaya can also be considered a derivation of Amaia, a Basque name meaning "the end." In Japan, Amaya is a surname.
- Anaya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"care, concern"Description:
An alternative to Inaya or Anya, Anaya is still climbing the charts.
- Angelou
Origin:
Literary nameDescription:
If you want to move beyond Maya.
- Aria
Origin:
Italian and HebrewMeaning:
"air; song or melody; lion"Description:
Aria is a multi-cultural name with two extremely popular versions: this more word-like one along with Arya, the spelling used for the feisty young heroine of Game of Thrones. There were about 6400 baby girls named Aria in the US last year alog with 2400 named Arya, which counted together places the name in the Top 10.
- Baya
Origin:
SpanishMeaning:
"berry"Description:
The Spanish word for "berry" makes a deliciously intriguing word name possibility.
- Bria
Origin:
From Italian word brio meaning "vigour, liveliness"Meaning:
"vigour, liveliness"Description:
Sweet but spirited name.
- Chaya
Origin:
Hebrew, feminine version of Chayyim meaning "life"Meaning:
"life"Description:
A life-affirming choice—just beware pronunciation issues among the goyim in your neighborhood.
- Daya
Origin:
HindiMeaning:
"compassionate"Description:
There is some controversy over the origin and meaning of this name, though most reputable sources define it as a Hindi name meaning kindness or compassion. Also spelled, Daia, other sources say it may mean "joy" or be a Hebrew name with the meaning "bird of prey". It has recently been made familiar through the character of Daya Diaz on Orange is the New Black .
- Elaya
- Ella
Origin:
German; EnglishMeaning:
"all, completely; fairy maiden"Description:
Ella is a sweet, simple name that owes much of its current popularity to the popularity of other names, from Emma to Bella to Emily to Ellie.
- Enaya
- Eva
Origin:
Latin form of Eve, HebrewMeaning:
"life"Description:
Eva is a simple, classic Hebrew name for girls that recently slipped out of the US Top 100 for the first time in more than a decade. Pronounced either like her more popular sister Ava or less popular sister Eve, Eva is one of the elite group of girl names that mean life.
- Fay
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fairy"Description:
Fay, also spelled Faye, who had been napping quietly since the 1930's, has, like cousins May/Mae and Ray/Rae, sat up and started rubbing her eyes, ready for a mini-comeback, especially as a middle name. In 2014, Faye hopped back onto the US Top 1000, though Fay is used much more quietly as a first name.
- Gaia
Origin:
Greek and LatinMeaning:
"earth mother; rejoicing"Description:
The name of the Greek mythological earth goddess and universal mother; actress Emma Thompson stated that she was attracted by its ecological element, so other "green" parents may want to follow her lead.
- Haya
Origin:
Hebrew or JapaneseMeaning:
"life; universal feathers"Description:
Appealing crosscultural choice.
- Hiraya
Origin:
TagalogMeaning:
"imagination"Description:
Dreamy name occasionally used in the Philippines. The fashionable "raya" sound may garner some more attention for Hiraya.
- Inaya
Origin:
ArabicMeaning:
"care, concern"Description:
Inaya is a soft and expressive Arabic name, also spelled Anaya. Inaya is a Top 100 girls' name in several European countries, including France, Netherlands, and Belgium. Inaya entered the Top 1000 for the first time in 2022, joining sister name Anaya on her upwards climb.
- Jamiah
Origin:
Invented nameDescription:
This modern invention sounds a lot more common than it actually is due to its similarities to hot names such as Amaya, Maya, and James.