Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Maya
GirlSanskrit, Greek· “illusion; also form of Maia”
- Meaning
- illusion; also form of Maia
- Origin
- Sanskrit, Greek
- Pronunciation
- MY-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #62
- US babies 2025
- 3,712
- Best rank
- #49 (2023)
- Peak year
- 2006
Meaning and origin of Maya
Maya is a Sanskrit and Greek name that is usually said to mean “illusion; also form of Maia”.
Maya has several independent roots, which is part of its broad appeal. In Sanskrit maya means illusion, a key idea in Hindu and Buddhist thought, and Maya is the name of the mother of the Buddha. In Greek myth, Maia is a nymph and the mother of Hermes, and Maya is sometimes treated as a form of that name. It is also used in Hebrew-speaking communities. The poet Maya Angelou made it widely known in the United States. Maya is short, gentle and easy to say in many languages. Maia and Mya are related spellings.
Other spellings with the same sound: Maia.
Famous parents who chose Maya: Gabourey Sidibe and Brandon Frankel (2024). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Maya first appears in US Social Security records in 1940. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 56 different years, starting in 1970. Its best national rank was #49 in 2023, and the most babies received it in 2006, when 5,047 were named Maya. In 2025, 3,712 babies were named Maya, and it ranked #62 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #4,594 in 1950, #506 in 1980, #113 in 2000, #66 in 2010, and #62 in 2025. Of the 123,587 US girls named Maya since records began, 32% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 39,769 babies. Since 2010, 63,878 more have been named Maya.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jocelyn, Angelina, Jada, Isabelle, and Isabel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Maya ranked highest in Massachusetts, District of Columbia, and Hawaii.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | #18 | 161 |
| District of Columbia | #24 | 17 |
| Hawaii | #24 | 17 |
| California | #29 | 658 |
| Washington | #33 | 123 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Maya is usually pronounced MY-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-ya”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Maia.
Middle names for Maya
A few middle names that flow with Maya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Maya
Similar names
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Kimaya Girl
kih-MY-uh
“often said to mean divine or miraculous” · Sanskrit
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Asya Girl
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Sonya Girl
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Chloe Girl
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Lists that include Maya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maya mean?
Maya is a Sanskrit and Greek name that is usually said to mean “illusion; also form of Maia”.
What is the origin of the name Maya?
Maya has Sanskrit and Greek roots. Maya has several independent roots, which is part of its broad appeal.
Is Maya a popular name?
Yes. Maya ranked #62 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Maya a boy or girl name?
Maya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Maya?
Maya 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