Maya
Maya is a Hindu girl name of Sanskrit; also Hebrew, Greek and other sources origin, meaning “Illusion, divine creative power”.
| Meaning | Illusion, divine creative power |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Sanskrit; also Hebrew, Greek and other sources |
| Written as | माया |
| Pronunciation | MY-uh |
| Tradition | Hindu, Buddhist, Modern & Classic |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Maya
Maya has several independent roots. In Sanskrit, maya means illusion or the creative power by which the visible world appears, and in Hindu thought it is sometimes personified as a goddess. Queen Maya, or Mahamaya, was the mother of the Buddha. In Greek myth Maia was a nymph and mother of Hermes, and in modern Hebrew mayim means water, so Israelis often hear the name that way. It is now popular in many countries, including India, Israel, Europe and the United States.
Is Maya a Hindu name?
In Hinduism maya is a key philosophical concept, and in Buddhism Queen Maya is honoured as the mother of Siddhartha Gautama. The name is also used by families of other faiths simply as an international name.
How popular is Maya?
Widely used internationally, in India and Nepal as well as across Europe, Israel and North America.
Gifts with the name Maya
- Maya name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Maya baby gifts (Amazon)
- Hindu baby gifts & books (Amazon)
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Spellings and variants of Maya
Names similar to Maya
More Hindu girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maya mean?
Maya means 'Illusion, divine creative power'. It is of Sanskrit; also Hebrew, Greek and other sources origin.
Is Maya a Hindu name?
In Hinduism maya is a key philosophical concept, and in Buddhism Queen Maya is honoured as the mother of Siddhartha Gautama. The name is also used by families of other faiths simply as an international name.
How do you pronounce Maya?
Maya is pronounced MY-uh.
Is Maya a boy or girl name?
Maya is usually a girl name.