Mary vs Maya

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Mary

Girl #132 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"sea of bitterness"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Irish Christian Hebrew

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#132
Total SSA Count
2,196
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Molly, Polly, May

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mary →

Maya

Girl #51 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"water"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Indian Hebrew Latin American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#51
Total SSA Count
4,220
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
May

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Maya →

Popularity Comparison

Mary Rank #132
Maya Rank #51

Maya is more popular, ranked #51 vs #132 for Mary.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Mary ___

  • Mary Grace
  • Mary Elizabeth
  • Mary Jane
  • Mary Ann
  • Mary Rose
  • Mary Claire

Maya ___

  • Maya Rose
  • Maya Grace
  • Maya Elizabeth
  • Maya Anne
  • Maya Lynn
  • Maya Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Mary

Anne Elizabeth John James Margaret

If you choose Maya

Aria Sofia Luca Noah Zara

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mary or Maya more popular?

Maya is more popular, ranked #51 compared to Mary at #132 in the United States.

What do Mary and Maya mean?

Mary means "sea of bitterness" (Hebrew origin). Maya means "water" (Hebrew origin).

Are Mary and Maya boy or girl names?

Mary is primarily a girl name. Maya is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Mary ← Full profile: Maya Browse all baby names