Maya is a female given name of various origins and meanings. It is commonly used in multiple cultures and languages, including Hebrew, Sanskrit, Greek, and Spanish. In Hebrew, Maya means "water" or "brook", while in Sanskrit it means "illusion" or "magic". In Greek mythology, Maya was the mother of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. In Spanish, Maya is a diminutive form of the name María. The popularity of the name Maya has increased in recent years, and it is often chosen for its simplicity and elegance.
Maya rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Maya
| May | MY-uh | Shortening of the full name |
| Mimi | MEE-mee | Rhyming nickname |
| Mayo | MAY-oh | Shortening of the full name |
| Mae | MAY | Shortening of the full name |
| Mya | MY-uh | Slight variation of the full name |
| Mayzie | MAY-zee | Rhyming nickname |
| M | EM | Single letter nickname |
| Mays | MAYZ | Shortening of the full name |
| Mayday | MAY-day | Playful variation of the full name |
| Maybelline | MAY-buh-leen | Playful variation of the full name |
Famous people named Maya
| Maya Angelou | Poet, author, and civil rights activist | Best known for her memoir "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and her poem "Still I Rise |
| Maya Rudolph | Actress and comedian | Known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and her roles in films such as "Bridesmaids" and "The Good Place |
| Maya Lin | Artist and designer | Designed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and other notable public works |
| Maya Moore | Professional basketball player | Four-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist |
| Maya Jama | Television presenter and model | Hosted shows such as "Cannonball" and "The Circle |
| Maya Deren | Filmmaker and choreographer | Known for her avant-garde films and contributions to the American experimental film movement |
| Maya Soetoro-Ng | Author and educator | Half-sister of former President Barack Obama and advocate for peace education |
| Maya Hawke | Actress and singer | Known for her role in the Netflix series "Stranger Things" and her music career |
| Maya Wiley | Civil rights attorney and political commentator | Former counsel to the Mayor of New York City and frequent commentator on MSNBC |
| Maya Ali | Pakistani actress | Known for her roles in Pakistani television dramas and films. |
Fictional character called Maya from pop culture
| Maya Fey | Ace Attorney series | A main character in the Ace Attorney video game series, Maya is a spirit medium and assistant to defense attorney Phoenix Wright. |
| Maya Hart | Girl Meets World | A main character in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World, Maya is the best friend of the main character, Riley Matthews. |
| Maya Lopez (Echo) | Marvel Comics | A Marvel Comics character, Maya Lopez is a deaf Native American superhero who goes by the name Echo. |
| Maya Gallo | Just Shoot Me! | A main character in the TV sitcom Just Shoot Me!, Maya Gallo is a writer and journalist who works at Blush magazine. |
| Maya Hansen | Iron Man 3 | A character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Iron Man 3, Maya Hansen is a scientist who develops the Extremis virus. |
| Maya Ibuki | Neon Genesis Evangelion | A character in the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, Maya Ibuki is a technician and operator at NERV headquarters. |
| Maya Miller | Zero Dark Thirty | A character in the film Zero Dark Thirty, Maya Miller is a CIA analyst who helps track down Osama bin Laden. |
| Maya Tohno | Ace of Diamond | A character in the anime and manga series Ace of Diamond, Maya Tohno is a baseball player and manager of the Seido High School baseball team. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Maya
| What is the meaning of the name Maya? | The name Maya has multiple meanings, including "illusion" in Sanskrit, "water" in Hebrew, and "great" in Japanese. |
| Is Maya a popular name? | Yes, Maya has been a popular name in various cultures and countries. In the United States, it ranked #77 in popularity for baby girls in 2020. |
| What are some famous people named Maya? | Some famous people named Maya include Maya Angelou, a renowned author and poet; Maya Rudolph, an actress and comedian; and Maya Moore, a professional basketball player. |
| Is Maya a unisex name? | While Maya is predominantly used as a female name, it can also be used as a male name in some cultures, such as in Hinduism where it is a name for Lord Vishnu. |
| What are some variations of the name Maya? | Variations of the name Maya include Maia, Mya, Maja, and Mayah. |