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Home › Baby Names Directory › Masai

Masai

♀ Girl

Pronounced mah-SYE /mɑˈsaɪ/Medium

Meaning: Masai is used in the U.S. mostly as a boy's name, and it is also a common spelling of Maasai — the name of a living Nilotic people of Kenya and Tanzania, and of their language. Used as a personal name it reads as an ethnonym rather than a word with a settled 'meaning'; we do not assign one. Routes uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: Masai is best known as a spelling of Maasai, the name of a living East African people — and in the U.S. it is used more often for boys. Routes uncertain, which we note (said 'mah-SYE').
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Origin LowEnglish, African
MeaningMasai is used in the U.S. mostly as a boy's name, and it is also a common spelling of Maasai — the name of a living Nilotic people of Kenya and Tanzania, and of their language. Used as a personal name it reads as an ethnonym rather than a word with a settled 'meaning'; we do not assign one. Routes uncertain, which we note.
U.S. rank (2024)#14591
2024 U.S. births6 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2024
Total births (all-time)≈ 6

History & Origin

Masai is most familiar as a spelling of Maasai, the name of a Nilotic people of Kenya and Tanzania and of the Maa language they speak. Carried into personal-name use in the U.S., it leans strongly to boys, and it functions as a people-name rather than a word with a settled meaning — we say so plainly instead of assigning one (said 'mah-SYE').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, striking, and cross-sex.

Did you know? Maasai is the name of a Nilotic people of Kenya and Tanzania and of their language — so Masai reads as an ethnonym rather than a word with a tidy translation. We state that plainly rather than inventing an etymology (said 'mah-SYE').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Masai — Maasai people of Kenya/Tanzania; ethnonym; boy-lean in U.S. use

Variations

MaasaiMasaai

Nicknames

MasSai

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Masai…

Malaika— a like East African girl's name
Amani— a like Swahili-sphere pick
Zuri— a like short East African name
Nala— a like bright two-beat African-linked name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Masai mean?

Masai is a spelling of Maasai, the name of a living East African people and their language. As a personal name it reads as an ethnonym, not a word with a settled meaning, so we do not assign one.

How do you pronounce Masai?

It's said mah-SYE /mɑˈsaɪ/ — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Masai a boy or girl name?

Masai is used here as a girl's name, but in the U.S. it is much more often a boy's name — we note the lean clearly.

How popular is Masai?

For girls Masai is rare in the U.S.; boys' use is considerably more common.

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