N
NamyLab

Maya

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Illusion or Water"

Maya appears in several traditions with distinct origins, including Sanskrit philosophical usage and other independent name sources.

Themes:multilingualmythologyillusionmodern
BiblicalMythologyMythologicalNatureNaturalClassicTraditionalTimeless

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 Maya

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#51Top 100

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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
#51

Maya was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-1

lower than 2023

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

Maya Nicknames

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

9 ideas
May
Nickname
maya
Nickname
ma
Nickname
mo
Nickname
mayy
Nickname
mayay
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname
mayaie
Nickname

Similar Names to Maya

female

Anna

AN-uh

“Grace; Favor”

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|Hebrew
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Ashley

“Ash Tree Clearing”

#124
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Amy

AY-mee

“Beloved”

#228
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Angela

AN-juh-luh

“Messenger; Angel”

#282
|Greek
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Alice

“Noble Kind”

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Ann

“Grace, Favor”

#1141
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Andrea

“Manly, Courageous”

#185
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Abigail

AB-ih-gayl

“My Father Is Joy”

#32
|Hebrew
female

Amber

“Amber Resin”

#541
|Arabic
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Annie

“Grace, Favor”

#191
|Hebrew

Baby Name Lists That Include Maya

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

31 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Maya mean?
Maya means "Illusion or Water". Maya appears in several traditions with distinct origins, including Sanskrit philosophical usage and other independent n
What is the origin of Maya?
Maya is of Sanskrit origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Maya?
According to the latest SSA data, Maya is currently ranked #51 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 Maya a girl name?
Maya 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 Maya?
Popular nicknames for Maya include May, maya, ma, mo, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Maya?
There are many names similar to Maya in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginSanskrit, Hebrew, Greek
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#51
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Maya

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

Maya appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Ocean and Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Earth-Inspired Nature Names and Indian Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Maya pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Maya 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.