Maya vs Maia
A side-by-side comparison of Maya and Maia — meaning, origin, pronunciation, popularity, and cultural significance.
Maya vs Maia: the key differences
Maya and Maia often end up on the same shortlist. Maya is of Sanskrit origin and Maia of Greek origin; Maya means “illusion, dream; also water or mother” and Maia means “great one, mother goddess”. Both are used for girls.
In 2025, Maya ranked #62 and Maia #433 among girls' names in the US, so Maya was the more common choice, 371 places ahead of Maia. Maya peaked at #49 in 2023, Maia at #420 in 2022.
Both have 2 syllables; Maya has 4 letters and Maia 4.
how do Maya and Maia compare?
| Maya | Attribute | Maia |
|---|---|---|
illusion, dream; also water or mother | Meaning | great one, mother goddess |
| Sanskrit | Origin | Greek |
MY-uh | Pronunciation | MY-uh |
| girl | Gender | girl |
2 syllables, 4 letters | Sound | 2 syllables, 4 letters |
My, Mimi | Nicknames | — |
Maia, Mya, Maja | Variants | — |
#49 in 2023 | All-time peak | #420 in 2022 |
Maya Angelou (poet and author); Maya Lin (architect) | Famous namesakes | Maia Mitchell (actress); Maya Angelou (poet, alternate spelling) |
Maya arrives from several unrelated traditions. In Sanskrit माया means illusion — the appearance that conceals reality. In Greek, Maia is the eldest Pleiad and mother of Hermes. There is also a Hebrew Maya connected to water. These are separate names that share a spelling. | Etymology | Maia has more than one tradition. The Greek Maia's name comes from a word for lady; the Roman Maia is of uncertain origin, possibly from a Latin word for great, as in Maius, an epithet of Jupiter. Maia is also a Māori name meaning brave or confident. |
| #62 | Popularity (2025) | #433 |
In Hinduism and Buddhism, 'maya' refers to the illusory nature of the material world. The name also connects to the ancient Maya civilization and to Greek Maia, goddess of spring. Its multicultural resonance makes it globally beloved. | Cultural Note | In Greek mythology, Maia was the eldest of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas, and mother of Hermes by Zeus. The month of May is named in her honor as a goddess of spring and fertility. |
which is more popular: Maya or Maia?
Maya
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #62 |
| 2024 | #51 |
| 2023 | #49 |
| 2022 | #51 |
| 2021 | #55 |
Maia
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #433 |
| 2024 | #460 |
| 2023 | #459 |
| 2022 | #420 |
| 2021 | #435 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset
questions about Maya and Maia
What is the difference between Maya and Maia?
Maya and Maia often end up on the same shortlist. Maya is of Sanskrit origin and Maia of Greek origin; Maya means “illusion, dream; also water or mother” and Maia means “great one, mother goddess”. Both are used for girls.
Which is more popular, Maya or Maia?
In 2025, Maya ranked #62 and Maia #433 among girls' names in the US, so Maya was the more common choice, 371 places ahead of Maia. Maya peaked at #49 in 2023, Maia at #420 in 2022.
Are Maya and Maia pronounced the same?
Maya is pronounced MY-uh and Maia MY-uh. Both have 2 syllables; Maya has 4 letters and Maia 4.
Should I name my baby Maya or Maia?
Both Maya and Maia are beautiful choices. Consider the meaning, cultural significance, and how each sounds with your last name. HushName's free AI consultation can help you explore both options and find the perfect fit for your family.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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