Maya

Depending on origin and spelling, it’s associated with Sanskrit māyā (often glossed as “illusion/appearance”) and/or Greek Maia (a figure in Greek myth).

Maya is a feminine given name used internationally, and it’s common to encounter different origin explanations depending on the family, language, and spelling. Because it appears in multiple cultural contexts, the most accurate approach is to treat “Maya” as a modern form with more than one plausible historical pathway rather than a single fixed meaning. Depending on origin, Maya is often associated with Sanskrit māyā, a term with a long philosophical history and a range of interpretations; English summaries frequently gloss it as “illusion” or “appearance,” though that can oversimplify. It is also connected to Greek Maia, a name from Greek myth that has influenced modern spellings such as Maia/Maya in different languages. In English, a very common pronunciation is MY-uh (two syllables). A practical tip is that some languages prefer a “MAH-ya” vowel pattern, so it can be helpful to share your preferred pronunciation; casual shortenings like May are also common.

Etymology: In Sanskrit contexts, it may be linked to māyā, a term with rich philosophical meanings that is often simplified as “illusion” in English glosses. In Greek contexts, Maia is a mythological name that has influenced the modern form Maya.