✦ NAME PROFILE ✦
Maya
/ MY-ah /
feminineMeaning
Illusion; water; mother
Origin
Sanskrit / Hebrew / Greek
Maya is a truly global name with distinct roots. In Sanskrit, it means 'illusion' or 'magic' and is a key concept in Hindu philosophy. In Hebrew, it is a variant of Mayim (water). In Greek mythology, Maia was the eldest of the Pleiades and the mother of Hermes. It is also the name of a civilization in Central America.
Personality Distribution
MBTI Profile
Approximate distribution among people named Maya.
Cultural Context
Cultural Notes
Maya is admired for its multi-cultural fluidity. It is short, easy to pronounce in dozens of languages, and rich with spiritual and mythological meaning. It has been a steady favorite for parents who want a name that feels both earthy and intellectual.
Notable People
Famous Bearers
Maya Angelou
Iconic American poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist (1928–2014)
Maya Rudolph
American actress and comedian (b. 1972)
Maya Lin
American designer and sculptor of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (b. 1959)