Maia
MEYE-uh
Maia comes from Greek and Roman mythology, where Maia was a daughter of Atlas and the Pleiades, and later the Roman goddess of spring. The name may derive from the Greek maia meaning “mother” or “midwife,” or from an Indo-European root meaning “great.”
In Roman tradition Maia was the goddess whose name was given to the month of May. She was associated with growth, fertility, and the earth’s renewal. The name also appears in Hawaiian culture with a different origin, meaning “banana.”
Maia peaked at No. 420 in 2022 with 752 births. In 2024 it holds at No. 459 with 681 births, continuing strong.
What the name Maia means
Notable bearers include South African musician Maia (of the duo Maia and Angelique Kidjo) and Welsh actress Maia Mitchell. The name’s mythological depth gives it cross-cultural appeal.
Three syllables — MY-ah — or two syllables depending on speaker preference. The open vowel sequence gives it a light, airy quality that feels both ancient and modern.
Parents drawn to Maia often want a name with genuine classical roots that remains short and easy to pronounce in any language.
Variants include Maya, the far more common spelling, and Maja, used in Scandinavia and Germany. All share the same mythological and etymological core.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Maia
Maia - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity