Maya
Maya is a girls' name of Sanskrit origin meaning “illusion, dream; also water or mother.” It ranked #62 in the United States in 2025. In Hinduism and Buddhism, 'maya' refers to the illusory nature of the material world.
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how do you pronounce Maya?
MY-uh
where does the name Maya come from?
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.
The name also connects to the ancient Maya civilization and to Greek Maia, goddess of spring. Its multicultural resonance makes it globally beloved.
how popular is this name?
Maya has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 56 years since 1970. It peaked at #49 in 2023, and ranked #62 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #62 |
| 2024 | #51 |
| 2023 | #49 |
| 2022 | #51 |
| 2021 | #55 |
| 2020 | #61 |
| 2019 | #64 |
| 2018 | #62 |
| 2017 | #60 |
| 2016 | #64 |
| 2010 | #66 |
| 2000 | #113 |
| 1990 | #399 |
| 1980 | #506 |
| 1970 | #914 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Maya fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Maya
In Hindu philosophy maya is a substantial concept rather than a mere word, naming the illusory quality of the perceived world; in Buddhist tradition Maya is also the Buddha's mother. The Roman month of May is generally traced to the Greek Maia. Maya Angelou carried the name in modern American letters, and it has ranked highly in the United States since the 1990s.
who are famous people named Maya?
- Maya Angelou (poet and author)
- Maya Lin (architect)
- Maya Rudolph (actress)
what are the nicknames and variants of Maya?
Nicknames
what names are similar to Maya?
what names go well with Maya?
Sibling names that share Maya's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Maya
What does the name Maya mean?
Maya means “illusion, dream; also water or mother”.
What is the origin of the name Maya?
Maya comes from the Sanskrit naming tradition. Related forms include Maia, Mya and Maja.
How popular is the name Maya?
Maya ranked #62 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2023, at #49, and it has spent 56 years in the top 1,000 since 1970.
Is Maya a boy or girl name?
Maya is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Maya?
Maya is pronounced MY-uh, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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