"mother, great one"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Maia
Pronunciation: [ m-EYE-uh ]
Does Maia flow with your last name?
Named for a star goddess who gave birth to May itself
Greek
Roman
English
Hawaiian
Spanish
Elegant
Mythological
Vintage
Earthy
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Maia
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"goddess of spring and growth"
Origin: Roman mythology
Language: Latin
"banana plant"
Origin: Hawaiian
Language: Hawaiian
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The Story of Maia
Maia has rich mythological origins. In Greek mythology, Maia was the eldest and most beautiful of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. She became the mother of Hermes (Mercury) by Zeus. In Roman mythology, Maia was also a goddess of spring, growth, and fertility, and the month of May is believed to be named after her. In Hawaiian, Maia means banana, a sacred plant. These layered meanings give the name remarkable depth.
Maia has been rising in popularity as an elegant alternative to the more common Maya. Its mythological roots and soft sound appeal to parents seeking a name with classical depth. It consistently appears in European name charts in France, Italy, and Spain.
The Pleiades star cluster, which contains the star named Maia, has been significant to cultures worldwide for navigation and agriculture for thousands of years. In Roman culture, the goddess Maia gave her name to the month of May, one of the most beloved months across cultures.
Historical Record
Maia first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,481 babies have been named Maia in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maia is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #459 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The month of May is believed to be named after the Roman goddess Maia
- The star Maia in the Pleiades cluster is about 400 light years from Earth and 800 times brighter than the Sun
Maia in Other Languages
Greek
Maia
Latin
Maia
French
Maia
Spanish
Maya
Hawaiian
Maia
Popularity Over Time
#459
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maia
M
Maia Mitchell
Actor
1993
Australian actress and singer known for The Fosters and Good Trouble
M
Maia (Mythology) Fictional
Other
Eldest and most beautiful of the Pleiades in Greek mythology, mother of Hermes by Zeus
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Compare Maia with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #459
- Total SSA Count
- 681
- Cultural Origins
- Greek Roman English Hawaiian Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maia
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Germanic Karl origin
"free person"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maia
What does the name Maia mean?
"mother, great one" (from Greek). "goddess of spring and growth" (from Roman mythology). "banana plant" (from Hawaiian). Maia has rich mythological origins. In Greek mythology, Maia was the eldest and most beautiful of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. She became the mother of Hermes (Mercury) by Zeus. In Roman mythology, Maia was also a goddess of spring, growth, and fertility, and the month of May is believed to be named after her. In Hawaiian, Maia means banana, a sacred plant. These layered meanings give the name remarkable depth.
What is the origin of the name Maia?
Maia has Greek, Roman mythology, Hawaiian, Roman, English, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "mother, great one". In Roman mythology, it means "goddess of spring and growth". In Hawaiian, it means "banana plant".
Is Maia a boy or girl name?
Maia is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maia?
Maia is pronounced m-EYE-uh.
How popular is the name Maia?
Maia is currently ranked #459 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Maia?
Popular middle name pairings include Maia Rose, Maia Grace, Maia Elise, Maia Claire, Maia Renee, Maia Pearl, and Maia Violet.
What are good sibling names for Maia?
Names that pair well with Maia as siblings include Luna, Aurora, Cleo, Orion, Atlas, Zara, and Iris.
How many syllables does Maia have?
Maia has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maia a common or rare name?
Maia is a popular name, ranked #459 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Maia?
About the Name Maia
Maia is a girl name with Greek, Roman, English, Hawaiian, and Spanish origins . The name means "mother, great one" in Greek .
Maia is currently ranked #459 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maia has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EYE-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Maia include Maisie, Maisy, Maizie, Maite, Maizy . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis