Maiya

♀ Girl

Pronounced MY-uh /ˈmaɪ.ə/High

Meaning: water (Hebrew), divine illusion (Sanskrit), great mother (Greek)Medium

In 30 seconds: Maiya is a variant of Maya meaning water in Hebrew, divine illusion in Sanskrit, or great mother in Greek. A universally beloved two-syllable name with deep multicultural roots.

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Origin MediumHebrew, Greek, Sanskrit

Meaningwater (Hebrew), divine illusion (Sanskrit), great mother (Greek)

U.S. rank (2025)#2398 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births75 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2000

Total births (all-time)≈ 4,364

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

Maiya is a spelling variant of Maya, which has independent origins in Hebrew (water), Sanskrit (divine illusion), and Greek (Maia, great mother). The spelling adds a Japanese flavor, as mai means dance in Japanese.

Maiya has appeared in US records as a distinctive spelling of the globally popular Maya. It is appealing to parents who want the universal Maya sound with Japanese heritage.

Did you know? The month of May takes its name from the Roman goddess Maia, the eldest of the Pleiades — meaning every spring month in Western culture commemorates the same root as Maiya.

Overall data confidence 78%

Behind the Name: Maya — name etymology referenceMonier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary — reference for Maiya

Variations

MayaMaiaMajaMayah

Nicknames

May

Famous Bearers

★Maya Angelou (1928–2014)
American poet, memoirist and civil rights activist, author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

If you like Maiya…

Maya— standard spelling of same name

Mayah— similar variant spelling

Maia— classical Greek spelling

Mia— short form with similar sound

Kaia— two-syllable name with similar feel

Explore names like Maiya

By themehebrew greek sanskrit two-syllable multicultural

By meaningGod / Divine Sea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does Maiya mean?

Maiya is a variant of Maya, meaning water in Hebrew, divine illusion in Sanskrit, and great mother in Greek mythology.

How do you pronounce Maiya?

Maiya is pronounced MY-uh (/ˈmaɪ.ə/), with two syllables.

Is Maiya a girl's name?

Yes, Maiya is used as a feminine name across multiple cultural traditions.

How popular is the name Maiya?

Maiya is a distinctive spelling of the very popular Maya, used by parents who want a unique variant.