Mayu

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAH-yoo /ˈmɑ.juː/Medium

Meaning: A Japanese given name whose meaning shifts with the chosen kanji: elements can carry senses like 'true' or 'genuine' (ma), 'gentleness' or 'reason' (yu), and 'evening' among others. The characters, not the sound alone, fix the meaning.Low

In 30 seconds: A soft Japanese name: Mayu's sense depends on its kanji, from 'true gentleness' to 'evening' (said 'MAH-yoo'). Delicate and warm.

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Origin MediumJapanese

MeaningA Japanese given name whose meaning shifts with the chosen kanji: elements can carry senses like 'true' or 'genuine' (ma), 'gentleness' or 'reason' (yu), and 'evening' among others. The characters, not the sound alone, fix the meaning.

U.S. rank (2024)#10763 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2005

Total births (all-time)≈ 204

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

Mayu is a Japanese given name written with different kanji, each shading its meaning. Elements such as 'true,' 'gentleness,' 'reason,' and 'evening' combine in various ways, so the characters, not the sound, decide the sense. It reads soft and gentle (said 'MAH-yoo').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., mainly in Japanese families. Rare, delicate, and gentle.

Did you know? Mayu is a Japanese name whose meaning rides on the kanji chosen for it — pairings can suggest 'true gentleness' or 'evening,' so two girls named Mayu may carry quite different meanings (said 'MAH-yoo').

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Mayu — Japanese name; meaning depends on kanji

Variations

MayukoMayumiMaiyu

Nicknames

MayYuMa

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Mayu…

Yuki— a like soft Japanese name

Emi— a like short Japanese pick

Sakura— a like Japanese nature-warm name

Miyu— a fellow Japanese choice

Miku— a similarly popular pick

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mayu mean?

It's a Japanese name whose meaning depends on the kanji chosen, from 'true gentleness' to 'evening.'

How do you pronounce Mayu?

It's said MAH-yoo /ˈmɑ.juː/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mayu a boy or girl name?

Mayu is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Mayu?

Mayu is a rare name for girls in the U.S.