Maya

Maya is a girl name of Sanskrit origin with the meaning "illusion; greatness (Sanskrit)". Names from the Sanskrit tradition often carry deep cultural significance, reflecting heritage, values, or natural beauty. She has been used in Sanskrit communities for generations and has gained broader popularity as parents discover its beauty.

Maya has been used across Oceania and other parts of the world. In the United States, SSA data shows the name's popularity trends going back to 1950. Check the chart above to see exactly how many babies were named Maya in each year, and whether its popularity has been rising, steady, or declining.

Common nicknames for Maya depend on its full form. Many parents choose Maya specifically because it has built-in short forms or pet names. Some names have no common nicknames and are used in their full form throughout life.

Maya is a name shared by people across all walks of life — from artists and athletes to scientists and public figures. The popularity of the name means it appears throughout history in nearly every era and culture. Search online for "Maya famous people" to discover notable figures who share this name.

Names similar to Maya share its cultural origin, style, or sound. If you love Maya, you might also like names from the same origin tradition, names with similar ending sounds, or names that share the same number of syllables.