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Maia as a girl's name - Greek meaning?

17 replies

KayPats · 16/02/2017 11:18

We're considering Maia as the name for our little girl due in June. My husband's family is part Greek and we've had conflicting views on what Maia means in Greek. Some say it means 'midwife' or 'mother' but it also seems to be a Greek mythical character and an ordinary Greek girl's name. Are there any Greeks / Cypriots on this forum who could advise on whether Maia would be considered 'weird' as a baby girl's name in modern Greek, because of its possible meanings?

Also - we would pronounce this name "My-Ah" (like the Mayan Indians) but we're concerned it might be mispronounced "May-Ah" (as in "mayor" or "mayo") - how would most people pronounce this?

Thanks all! :-)

OP posts:
SuperBeagle · 16/02/2017 19:26

According to behindthename, the meaning of the Greek Maia is unknown, but it's also a name in Roman mythology and in latin it means "great". I would assume that the meaning is similar in Greek, considering that.

I would pronounce it Maia, but I think there will always be a couple of people who assume it's pronounced may-uh. I have a friend named Maya and 90% of people pronounce it correctly, but there is that other 10% who pronounce it may-uh. It only takes on correction for people to get it right though.

maitaimojito · 16/02/2017 19:30

I never know which pronunciation to use for Maia or Maya as I know people who use both. I think that would put me off even though I do really like the name.

Introvertedbuthappy · 16/02/2017 19:32

I would pronounce it your way (all the Maias I have taught have had that pronunciation). All have been lovely girls too, so I have very positive associations with that name. I say go for it!

mrsnec · 16/02/2017 19:45

I don't know of any here. That's not a bad thing though. It is a nice name.

I'm in Cyprus. My dd has a name which is from Greek mythology and nobody here has ever made reference to that. I don't think mythology is as relevant here as it is in Greece if thats any use to you.

I haven't heard it used as you describe either.

Yellowmono · 16/02/2017 19:45

I know two teenage Maias. One prononouces it May-a and one My-a. Both spell it the same.

KayPats · 21/02/2017 18:16

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'm also thinking of 'Mia' as an easier alternative - what do people think about Mia versus Maia? (particularly anyone who is a Greek speaker - I know "mia" is the feminine pronoun (i.e. "the" or "one") in the Greek language but would that make it unsuitable as a given name?)

OP posts:
Mrsknackered · 21/02/2017 18:23

I don't know any Maia's but I think it's obvious it's My-ah.
My DP's ex is Maya but May-ah it's annoying like her but the other 4/5 Maya's pronounce it normally My-ah. I do know a boy Maya too.

Mrsknackered · 21/02/2017 18:23

I love Mia btw.

RedDogsBeg · 21/02/2017 18:26

I think Mia will be pronounced Me-a rather than My-Ah. I would stick with your original spelling it looks better and people are more likely to instinctively pronounce it the way you'd prefer.

Ginmakesitallok · 21/02/2017 18:29

I'd pronounce it My-a and love the name!

KayPats · 21/02/2017 18:39

Thanks! I should have clarified that if we go with 'Mia' then the pronunciation would be 'Mee-ah' so it's actually a different name. I thought that would be more easily recognised (I think it's currently up there as one of the most popular baby girl names in the UK) but it seems like these names could all be pronounced lots of different ways - ahh! Smile

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RedDogsBeg · 21/02/2017 19:38

I prefer Maia to Mia, it's nicely slightly different! I am sure most people will pronounce it My-Ah and you can easily correct those who don'tGrin. Also, I wouldn't worry about meanings, etc.,(unless the meaning is something terrible!) it sounds nice, looks nice and if you and your dh love it then it's the right name!

RedSauce · 21/02/2017 19:42

Wow, I never knew anyone pronounced Maia as May-a. I would never think to pronounce it that way.

I like Maia a lot and am not a fan of Mia (which I'd definitely pronounce Mee-a) at all.

Purplebluebird · 21/02/2017 19:46

My-Ah. Lovely name!

notabee · 21/02/2017 19:49

I think it's a beautiful name.

JujuMonster · 23/02/2017 20:29

Lovely name but I think I know 2 Maia's (pn my-ah) under 1, plus a load of Mya/Mia/Maya's so it is certainly a very popular name (if that bothers you?)

I'd pronounce it My-ah

Lovely name though

lucieloos · 24/02/2017 19:22

I would pronounce it may-a. It's a nice name.

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