Mayu

girlQuechua

Mayu is a girl name of Quechua origin, meaning “River”.

MeaningRiver
GenderGirl
OriginQuechua
PronunciationMAH-yoo
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inPeru, Bolivia, Japan

Meaning and origin of Mayu

Mayu is the Quechua word for river, and the Milky Way was known to the Incas as Hatun Mayu, the 'great river' of the sky. It appears in many Andean place names, including Willkamayu, the 'sacred river', an old name for the Urubamba. As a given name it is a modern heritage choice. The unrelated Japanese name Mayu, written with characters such as 真由, is also used for girls.

Is Mayu a religious name?

Mayu is a nature name from Quechua culture and carries no specific religious meaning.

How popular is Mayu?

Rare in the Andes; separately used as a Japanese girl's name.

Gifts with the name Mayu

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Names similar to Mayu

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mayu mean?

Mayu means 'River'. It is of Quechua origin.

Does Mayu have a religious meaning?

Mayu is a nature name from Quechua culture and carries no specific religious meaning.

How do you pronounce Mayu?

Mayu is pronounced MAH-yoo.

Is Mayu a boy or girl name?

Mayu is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.