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Maasai
Pronounced mah-SY /mΙΛsaΙͺ/Medium
Meaning: From the name of the Maasai people of Kenya and Tanzania β 'one who speaks Maa' (their language); an ethnonym used as a nameLow
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Maasai comes from the name of the Maasai people β the tall, proud pastoralist nation of Kenya and Tanzania, famed for their warriors, herding, and vivid red dress; the name means 'one who speaks Maa' (their language). Used as a given name to honor East African heritage (we note its origin as an ethnonym; said 'mah-SY'; nickname Maa).
In the U.S. it appears in African-American and East African families. Rare, of-the-Maasai-people at the root, and cultural.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Maasai mean?
Maasai is the name of the Maasai people of East Africa β 'one who speaks Maa'; an ethnonym used as a name.
How do you pronounce Maasai?
It's said mah-SY /mΙΛsaΙͺ/ β two syllables, stress on the second.
Is Maasai a boy or girl name?
Maasai is used here as a boy's name (it is given to both sexes).
How popular is Maasai?
Maasai is a rare name in the U.S.