Maya

Meaning of Maya

Maya has different meanings depending on the origin, but it often means "illusion" in Sanskrit, or "good mother" in Hebrew.

Maya has Sanskrit roots — browse every Sanskrit baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Maya

Maya has cooled off, slipping to #62 in 2025, down from a peak of #50 in 2023.

Notable people named Maya

• Maya Angelou
  American poet and activist
• Maya Rudolph
  American actress and comedian
• Maya Moore
  American professional basketball player
• Maya Lin
  American architect and sculptor
• Maya Hawke
  American actress and model

More Sanskrit names

Questions about the name Maya

What does the name Maya mean?

Maya means maya has different meanings depending on the origin, but it often means "illusion" in sanskrit, or "good mother" in hebrew, and it comes from Sanskrit origins.

Is Maya a boy's or a girl's name?

Maya is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Maya?

In 2025, Maya ranked #62 for girls, down from #51 the year before.

When was Maya most popular?

Maya peaked at #50 in 2023.