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Yemaya

♀ Girl

Pronounced yeh-mah-YAH /jɛ.mɑˈjɑ/Medium

Meaning: Mother goddess of the sea; from Yoruba Yemoja, 'mother whose children are the fish' — orisha of the oceanMedium

In 30 seconds: The ocean given a mother's face: Yemaya is the Yoruba sea goddess — mother of all waters and protector of women and children. Carried across the Atlantic, she reigns wherever the diaspora prays.
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Origin HighYoruba
MeaningMother goddess of the sea; from Yoruba Yemoja, 'mother whose children are the fish' — orisha of the ocean
U.S. rank (2024)#3684 ↘ Falling
2024 U.S. births42 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2023
Total births (all-time)≈ 461

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202319912024

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Yemaya derives from Yoruba Yemoja — 'mother whose children are the fish' — the orisha (deity) of the ocean, rivers, and motherhood, protector of women and children. Carried in the African diaspora, she is venerated in Santería, Candomblé, and beyond as Yemaya, Iemanjá, and more.

In the U.S. it appears in families honoring Yoruba and Afro-Caribbean heritage. Rare, oceanic at the root, and powerfully maternal.

Did you know? Yemaya's Yoruba name Yemoja means 'mother whose children are the fish' — and her worship traveled the Middle Passage to become beloved across Cuba, Brazil, and the Americas.
Overall data confidence 82%
Encyclopedia of Yoruba religion — Yemoja — deity background

Variations

YemojaIemanjaYemaja

Nicknames

YemaMaya

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Yemaya…

Maya— the sound-cousin within it
Marisol— a companion sea-and-sun name
Amari— shares Yemaya's Yoruba roots
Mireya— a similarly popular pick
Araya— a similarly popular pick

Browse the whole category: All Yoruba names →  ·  All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Yemaya mean?

Yemaya is the Yoruba goddess of the sea — 'mother whose children are the fish', mother of all waters.

How do you pronounce Yemaya?

It's said yeh-mah-YAH /jɛ.mɑˈjɑ/ — three syllables, stress on the last.

Is Yemaya a boy or girl name?

Yemaya is a girl's name.

How popular is Yemaya?

Yemaya is a rare name in the U.S.