Maya
GirlSanskrit · English /ˈmaɪ.ə/ or /ˈmeɪ.ə/; Sanskrit/Hindi /ˈmɑː.jɑː/
Maya has a soft, open shape and more than one story behind its spelling.
Origin
Sanskrit
Pronunciation
English /ˈmaɪ.ə/ or /ˈmeɪ.ə/; Sanskrit/Hindi /ˈmɑː.jɑː/
Depends on origin: Sanskrit ‘illusion, magic’; through Greek Maia, ‘mother’
Maya is a feminine name with several distinct roots. In the Sanskrit tradition, māyā means ‘illusion’ or ‘magic’. Another route connects Maya with Greek Maia, a name associated with ‘mother’ or ‘foster mother’. Maya can also arise as a short form of Maria. These histories offer alternatives rather than one combined meaning. Its gentle m and open ending give Maya an easy, unadorned feel. The appeal can lie in that smooth outline, while a particular family connection determines which history matters most. English pronunciations include /ˈmaɪ.ə/ and /ˈmeɪ.ə/; the Sanskrit/Hindi form /ˈmɑː.jɑː/ has different vowels. A shared spelling can therefore carry a personal sound as well as a personal origin.
Etymology: Several naming traditions meet in Maya, including Sanskrit māyā and a spelling of Greek Maia.
Spelling table
Code
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Braille
⠠⠍⠁⠽⠁
Name popularity
Latest year: 2025
Girls
Rank62
Boys
RankNot reported
Source
SSA records cover Social Security card applications, not every US birth. Names with fewer than 5 occurrences are omitted; gaps do not mean zero. Spellings are kept separate, except that SSA removes spaces and hyphens. Equal counts are ranked alphabetically. Ranks are calculated separately for boys and girls.
Origin
Sanskrit
Origin
Greek