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Home › Baby Names Directory › Maja

Maja

♀ Girl

Pronounced MY-ah /ˈmaɪ.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: Scandinavian/Slavic form of Maya/Maria — tied to Roman Maia, 'great', goddess of spring growthMedium

In 30 seconds: Spring-goddess soft, Scandi-cool: Maja is the European Maya — from Roman Maia, 'the great one', who gave May its name. Warm, worldly, springtime-bright.
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Origin MediumScandinavian, Latin
MeaningScandinavian/Slavic form of Maya/Maria — tied to Roman Maia, 'great', goddess of spring growth
U.S. rank (2025)#3747 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births40 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2009
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,049

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200919532025

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

Maja is a Scandinavian and Slavic form of Maya/Maria, linked to Roman Maia, 'the great one', goddess of growth (routes layered, which we note). It's a top favorite across Germany, Scandinavia, and the Balkans.

In the U.S. it appears in European families. Rare stateside, great-goddess at the root, and springlike.

Did you know? The Roman goddess Maia — 'the great one' — gave her name to the month of May; Maja is her Scandinavian and Slavic flowering.
Overall data confidence 72%
Behind the Name — Maja — routes layered

Variations

MayaMaiaMaya

Nicknames

Maj

Famous Bearers

  • ★Maja Einstein (1881-1951)
    German-Swiss writer and sister of physicist Albert Einstein
  • ★Maja Matarić (1965-)
    American roboticist and professor pioneering socially assistive robotics at USC
  • ★Maja Ostaszewska (1972-)
    Polish actress and prominent activist known for award-winning film roles

If you like Maja…

Maya— the English spelling of the same sound
Maia— the Roman-goddess form
Mira— a fellow soft European name
Mila— a companion Slavic favorite

Explore names like Maja

By themeuncertainlatinscandinavianmythological
By meaningGod / Divine

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Maja mean?

Maja is a European form of Maya/Maria, tied to Roman Maia, 'the great one'; routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Maja?

It's said MY-ah /ˈmaɪ.ɑ/ — two syllables; the j sounds like a y.

Is Maja a boy or girl name?

Maja is a girl's name.

How popular is Maja?

Maja is a rare name in the U.S., popular across Europe.

💬 Ask Nia