Maida

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAY-dah /ˈmeɪdə/High

Meaning: From Middle English 'maid/maiden' meaning 'young woman, girl, or virgin.' Also possibly from Arabic 'maida' meaning 'table' or 'banquet table.' As a given name, chiefly used in the English 'maiden' sense.Medium

In 30 seconds: A graceful vintage name evoking the image of a pure and gentle maiden, Maida has roots in both Middle English and Arabic. Soft, understated, and poetic, it is a hidden gem with a quiet, timeless beauty.

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Origin MediumEnglish, Arabic

MeaningFrom Middle English 'maid/maiden' meaning 'young woman, girl, or virgin.' Also possibly from Arabic 'maida' meaning 'table' or 'banquet table.' As a given name, chiefly used in the English 'maiden' sense.

U.S. rank (2025)#3556 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births43 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 3,003

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

Maida as a given name is most directly connected to the Middle English maid or maiden, meaning 'a young unmarried woman or girl,' a concept of purity and youth that made it a natural given name in the English tradition. The name has been in use in Scotland and England as a given name since at least the 19th century. It is also the name of a famous greyhound owned by Sir Walter Scott, immortalised in sculpture. Separately, maida in Arabic means 'banquet table,' giving the word a culinary connotation in Arab cultures.

Maida enjoyed modest popularity in the early 20th century in the English-speaking world, particularly in Scotland and among families with literary or historical tastes. The London neighbourhood Maida Vale, named in honour of the Battle of Maida (1806), kept the name in the cultural consciousness. Today Maida is rare but carries a quiet, vintage charm that appeals to parents looking for a distinctive, underused classic.

Did you know? Maida is also the name of a famous Italian battlefield: the Battle of Maida (1806), where British forces under General Stuart defeated Napoleon's army — a victory so celebrated that a neighbourhood in London was named Maida Vale in its honour.

Overall data confidence 80%

Oxford English Dictionary — maid, maiden — Middle English etymologyBehind the Name — Maida — usage and historical context

Variations

MaydaMaideeMada

Nicknames

MayMai

Famous Bearers

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maida mean?

Maida means 'maiden' or 'young woman,' from Middle English maid, conveying purity and youth.

How do you pronounce Maida?

Maida is pronounced MAY-dah /ˈmeɪdə/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Maida a boy or girl name?

Maida is exclusively a girls' name.

How popular is Maida?

Maida is a rare name today, a vintage treasure with historical associations in Scotland and the London neighbourhood Maida Vale.