N
NamyLab

Mama

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Mother; Caregiver"

Used cross-culturally as a kinship-based given name or honorific, though often functioning more commonly as a familial address.

Themes:kinshiphonorificunisexinformal
UniqueRare

Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Mama

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#14563Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Mama did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Mama Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Mama.

8 ideas
mama
Nickname
mamy
Nickname
ma
Nickname
mamay
Nickname
mamaie
Nickname
mie
Nickname
my
Nickname
mamao
Nickname

Similar Names to Mama

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

#94
|Hebrew
female

Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124
|English
female

Amanda

uh-MAN-duh

“Worthy of Love”

#496
|Latin
female

Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228
|French
female

Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
|Greek
female

Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141
|Hebrew
female

Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541
|Arabic
female

Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191
|Hebrew
female

Audrey

“Noble Strength”

#82
|English
female

April

“Opening of Spring”

#502
|Latin

Baby Name Lists That Include Mama

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Mama, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

16 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mama mean?
Mama means "Mother; Caregiver". Used cross-culturally as a kinship-based given name or honorific, though often functioning more commonly as a familial a
What is the origin of Mama?
Mama is of African origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Mama?
According to the latest SSA data, Mama is currently ranked #14563 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Mama a girl name?
Mama is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Mama?
Popular nicknames for Mama include mama, mamy, ma, mamay, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Mama?
There are many names similar to Mama in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginAfrican, English
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#14563
Trend→ Stable
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Mama

Mama has African roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our African baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Mama appears in several of our curated collections. Check out African Baby Names and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Traditional English Names and Names That Mean The Sun for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Mama pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Mama beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.