Maya

At a Glance

Meaning

Illusion (in the Sanskrit-origin usage); in Western usage often a variant of Maria

Origin

Multiple unrelated origins (Sanskrit, also Hebrew/Latin via Maria, or Greek Maia)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

MY-ahListen

Maya is a name for a girl, pronounced MY-ah, and it has stayed a classic choice rather than a trendy one. You may have come across the claim that it means 'water' from Hebrew, but that isn't accurate — the real threads behind it are separate: Sanskrit maya, meaning 'illusion,' a Hebrew/Latin form of Maria, and the Greek name Maia. So it's really a name with more than one distinct root rather than a single origin story.

Meaning & Origin of Maya

Meaning: Illusion (in the Sanskrit-origin usage); in Western usage often a variant of Maria.

Origin: Multiple unrelated origins (Sanskrit, also Hebrew/Latin via Maria, or Greek Maia).

A common claim: Maya is frequently claimed on baby-name sites to mean 'water,' often attributed to Hebrew origin. Actually: Maya doesn't trace to a root meaning 'water.' Its established origins are Sanskrit maya ('illusion'), a variant of Maria, or the Greek name Maia.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Maya

Popularity of Maya

Maya hit its high point at #50 in 2023 with 4,085 babies given the name, then eased slightly to #51 in 2024 with 4,220 — a small rank shift even as the count of babies named Maya grew.

Names Like Maya

These names share Maya’s style, era or origin.

• April
• Brooke
• Kaia
• Kailani
• Maisie
• Margot

FAQ

What does the name Maya mean?

Illusion (in the Sanskrit-origin usage); in Western usage often a variant of Maria. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Maya?

Maya is pronounced MY-ah (IPA: /ˈmaɪə/).

Is Maya a popular name right now?

Maya is near its all-time peak (#50 in 2023), ranked #51 in 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1940–2024.)

Make Maya Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Maya, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.