Amaia

♀ Girl

Pronounced ah-MY-ah /əˈmaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: From Basque Amaia, derived from ama ('mother') and the suffix -ia or -aia, possibly meaning 'the end' or 'the mother's place'; a traditional Basque girls' name made famous by the 19th-century novel AmayaHigh

In 30 seconds: Amaia is a lyrical Basque name meaning 'the end' or 'the mother's place.' Three flowing syllables, with deep roots in Basque culture and a growing presence in the Spanish-speaking world.

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Origin HighBasque

MeaningFrom Basque Amaia, derived from ama ('mother') and the suffix -ia or -aia, possibly meaning 'the end' or 'the mother's place'; a traditional Basque girls' name made famous by the 19th-century novel Amaya

U.S. rank (2025)#555 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births547 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 5,498

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Amaia is a traditional Basque given name, one of the few names from the Basque language — a linguistic isolate with no known relatives — to gain wide use. The root ama means 'mother' in Basque, and the name may carry the meaning of 'the mother's place' or 'the end' (of a journey or life). It is closely associated with the Basque nation's cultural identity.

Amaia has been a popular girls' name in the Basque Country and Spain for generations and has spread to Latin America with Spanish emigration. In the United States it has been charting since the 2000s, particularly in Hispanic communities, and ranks in the top 500. Its flowing three-syllable sound and the combination of its A and -aia ending give it a melodic quality that appeals beyond its Basque origins.

Did you know? The 1879 historical novel Amaya, o los vascos en el siglo VIII by Francisco Navarro Villoslada set in Basque country during the Moorish invasions made Amaia one of the most celebrated heroines in Spanish literature.

Overall data confidence 84%

Behind the Name — Amaia — etymology and Basque contextU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

AmayaAmayah

Nicknames

AmyMaiaAma

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Amaia…

Amaya— the most direct spelling variant of the same Basque name with identical meaning

Alaia— another Basque name with the same flowing vowel-rich sound and cultural heritage

Aurora— three-syllable name with the same melodic, vowel-rich feminine beauty

Marisol— Spanish feminine name with the same warm Latin American cultural context

Frequently Asked

What does the name Amaia mean?

Amaia is a Basque name from ama (mother), possibly meaning 'the mother's place' or 'the end.' It is a traditional name from the Basque Country of northern Spain.

How do you pronounce Amaia?

It is said ah-MY-ah — three syllables, stress on the second.

Is Amaia a boy or girl name?

Amaia is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Amaia?

Amaia is well established in Spain and growing in the United States, particularly in Hispanic communities, ranking in the lower top 500.