Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maja
GirlScandinavian, Slavic· “Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maria or Maia”
- Meaning
- Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maria or Maia
- Origin
- Scandinavian, Slavic
- Pronunciation
- MY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,747
- US babies 2025
- 40
- Best rank
- #2,315 (2011)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Maja
Maja is a Scandinavian and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maria or Maia”.
Maja is used in Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and the Balkans, and in most of these languages it is pronounced MY-uh. It can be a form of Maria or of Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and the eldest of the Pleiades in Greek myth. In Spanish, maja also means pretty or charming, and Goya painted the famous pair La Maja Desnuda and La Maja Vestida. The J spelling can confuse English readers, who may say MAH-jah. Maya and Maia are the more familiar English spellings of the same sound.
Popularity over time
Maja first appears in US Social Security records in 1953. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,315 in 2011, and the most babies received it in 2009, when 84 were named Maja. In 2025, 40 babies were named Maja, and it ranked #3,747 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #4,083 in 1980, #2,884 in 2000, #2,445 in 2010, and #3,747 in 2025. Of the 2,049 US girls named Maja since records began, 31% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 577 babies. Since 2010, 824 more have been named Maja.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Abigael, Jozlyn, Shaelynn, Yanely, and Shamiya.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maja ranked highest in Illinois.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | #1542 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maja is usually pronounced MY-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-ja”.
Middle names for Maja
A few middle names that flow with Maja: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maja
Similar names
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Lists that include Maja
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maja mean?
Maja is a Scandinavian and Slavic name that is usually said to mean “Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maria or Maia”.
What is the origin of the name Maja?
Maja has Scandinavian and Slavic roots. Maja is used in Scandinavia, Germany, Poland and the Balkans, and in most of these languages it is pronounced MY-uh.
Is Maja a popular name?
Not especially. Maja ranked #3,747 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Maja a boy or girl name?
Maja is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maja?
Maja is usually pronounced MY-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings