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Alternatives To Maya

MiaLen
By MiaLen
Updated Wed Feb 07 2024
Effortlessly cross-cultural and easily chic, Maya is a favorite with many possible origins. Here are some alternatives.
  1. Adaya

    • Description:

      Adaya is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it means 'ornament of God' or 'God has adorned,' derived from 'adah' (to adorn) and 'Yah' (God). It appears in the Old Testament as a masculine name but has evolved to be primarily feminine in modern usage. Adaya also exists in Indian culture with different meanings, possibly derived from Sanskrit roots. The name has gained modest popularity in recent decades among parents seeking spiritual names with cross-cultural appeal. Its melodic three-syllable pattern and meaningful etymology make it attractive to those looking for a name that is both distinctive and meaningful, with spiritual or religious undertones.
  2. Amaia

    • Origin:

      Spanish or Basque

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  3. Amaya

    • Origin:

      Spanish version of Amaia or Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  4. Anaya

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Basque

    • Meaning:

      "care, concern; the end"

    • Description:

      Anaya is a spelling variant of Inaya , a name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
  5. Angelou

    • Origin:

      Literary name

    • Description:

      If you want to move beyond Maya.
  6. Aria

    • Origin:

      Italian and Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  7. Baya

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "berry"

    • Description:

      The Spanish word for "berry" makes a deliciously intriguing word name possibility.
  8. Bria

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Briana or Gabriella

    • Meaning:

      "hill, high; God is my strong man"

    • Description:

      Sweet and sparky but maybe a little bit stuck in the 90s, Bria is a nickname-y style choice with various origins.
  9. Chaya

    • Origin:

      Feminization of Chayyim or Chaim, Hebrew, Hindi, "life; shadow, shade"

    • Meaning:

      "life; shadow, shade"

    • Description:

      A life-affirming name of Hebrew origin, currently popular in Israel, Chaya has also risen up the charts in both the US and the UK in recent years. Used as a common name for leafy shrub in Mexico, it shares the same root as Chava, Eve, and Eva.
  10. Daya

    • Origin:

      Hindi

    • Meaning:

      "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 .
  11. Elaya

    • Description:

      Elaya is a modern feminine name growing in popularity across several cultures. With possible roots in Hebrew, Greek, and Spanish origins, this versatile name carries different meanings depending on its linguistic background. In Hebrew, it may relate to 'to ascend' or connect to the name Elijah meaning 'my God is Yahweh.' Some see it as a variation of Ella (meaning 'fairy maiden' or 'beautiful fairy woman') with the fashionable -aya ending. The name has a melodic quality that appeals to contemporary parents seeking something distinctive yet approachable. While still uncommon, Elaya has been rising in usage since the 2010s, particularly among parents looking for names that sound both modern and timeless.

  12. Ella

    • Origin:

      German; English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  13. Enaya

    • Description:

      Enaya is a feminine name of Arabic origin meaning 'care,' 'concern,' or 'providence.' The name embodies the concepts of attentiveness and nurturing, making it a meaningful choice for parents seeking a name with compassionate undertones. While relatively uncommon in Western countries, Enaya has been growing in popularity within Muslim communities worldwide and among parents drawn to its melodic sound and positive meaning. The name's elegant simplicity, combined with its depth of meaning, contributes to its appeal in multicultural settings. Enaya flows naturally in pronunciation across different languages while retaining its distinctive character and cultural significance.

  14. Eva

    • Origin:

      Latin form of Eve, Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  15. Fay

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "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.
  16. Gaia

    • Origin:

      Greek and Latin

    • Meaning:

      "earth mother; rejoicing"

    • Description:

      Floral, bright, and subtly powerful, Gaia is a name with two separate origins. In Greek mythology, it is the name of the earth goddess and the universal mother, who takes her epithet from the Ancient Greek word for land or ground. It was this ecological element that led actress Emma Thompson to choose it for her daughter back in 1999, and it could hold similar appeal to green minded parents today.
  17. Haya

    • Origin:

      Hebrew or Japanese

    • Meaning:

      "life; universal feathers"

    • Description:

      Appealing crosscultural choice.
  18. Hiraya

    • Origin:

      Tagalog

    • Meaning:

      "imagination"

    • Description:

      Dreamy name occasionally used in the Philippines. The fashionable "raya" sound may garner some more attention for Hiraya.
  19. Inaya

    • Origin:

      Arabic, Bengali and Urdu

    • Meaning:

      "care, concern"

    • Description:

      Inaya is a soft and expressive name that derives from the Arabic word "inayah", meaning "care, concern, help". It is an indirect Qur'anic name, and the strictly feminine form of the unisex Inayat.
  20. Jamiah

    • Origin:

      Invented name

    • Description:

      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.