N
NamyLab

Yemaya

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Mother of Waters"

Name of a major Yoruba-derived deity revered in Afro-Caribbean traditions, linked with oceans, maternity, and protection.

Themes:orishaseamotherhoodyoruba
NatureNaturalUniqueRare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

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

Popularity History of Yemaya

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#3684Ranked 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

Yemaya 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

Yemaya Nicknames

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

8 ideas
yemy
Nickname
yema
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yie
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yy
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yo
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maya
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ayay
Nickname
ye
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Yemaya

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

23 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Yemaya mean?
Yemaya means "Mother of Waters". Name of a major Yoruba-derived deity revered in Afro-Caribbean traditions, linked with oceans, maternity, and protection
What is the origin of Yemaya?
Yemaya is of Yoruba origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Yemaya?
According to the latest SSA data, Yemaya is currently ranked #3684 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 Yemaya a girl name?
Yemaya 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 Yemaya?
Popular nicknames for Yemaya include yemy, yema, yie, yy, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Yemaya?
There are many names similar to Yemaya in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginYoruba, Afro-caribbean
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#3684
Trend↑ Rising
Starts withY

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Yemaya

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

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

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