Ma

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Ma

Pronounced MAH /ˈmɑ/Medium

Meaning: Ma is a genuine Hmong given name, borne within Hmong-American families, despite being only two letters. It may also appear as a clipped short form of longer names in other traditions; here it is best read as a real Hmong name rather than an abbreviation.Low

In 30 seconds: Ma is a real Hmong given name, short but complete, borne within Hmong-American families. Its rise in later records reflects that community rather than an English word.

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Origin LowHmong

MeaningMa is a genuine Hmong given name, borne within Hmong-American families, despite being only two letters. It may also appear as a clipped short form of longer names in other traditions; here it is best read as a real Hmong name rather than an abbreviation.

U.S. rank (2018)#13282 ↗ Rising

2018 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1990

Total births (all-time)≈ 630

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ma is a genuine Hmong given name, used within Hmong-American families, and it appears in records despite - or because of - its brevity. Very short names are entirely normal in a number of Asian traditions, and Ma should be understood as a real name rather than a clipped abbreviation.

In American records it was never common, appearing at a few dozen girls a year with a faint high point around 1990, in step with the growth of Hmong-American communities after the 1970s. Ma reads as an authentic heritage name; its two letters make its spoken form worth confirming, so the audio uses a clear respelling.

Did you know? Though only two letters, Ma is a genuine given name in Hmong and several Asian naming traditions - a reminder that a real name need not be long.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Ma — Hmong given name; short heritage name; Hmong-American cohort

Variations

MahMaiMeeMaiv

Nicknames

MimiMae

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ma…

Mae— a similar short vintage girls' name

May— another brief one-syllable name

Mai— a related Southeast Asian girls' name

Ada— a comparable short, spare name

Explore names like Ma

By themerare heritage short hmong

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Ma mean?

Ma is a genuine Hmong given name; despite being two letters, it is a real name, not an abbreviation.

How do you pronounce Ma?

It's said MAH /ˈmɑ/ - one syllable, with an open 'ah'.

Is Ma a boy or girl name?

Ma is used here as a girl's name.

How popular is Ma?

Ma has always been rare in the United States, a Hmong heritage name tied to the growth of Hmong-American communities.