Maya

[Girlname]

I like the name Maya and have been looking into the origins. It's a Hindu Sanskrit name, and I'm wondering whether it would be strange/inappropriate for me to use this name given that I am not Hindu. I understand that this name has many meanings and it's popular internationally though.

Lovely name, one of my favourite girls names.

I would say it's multi national/cultural name.
It's quite nice, IMO

It's a lovely name, and I don't think anyone would bat an eyelid for you using it as it is the 34th most popular girls name in the uk, and I doubt they are all from a Hindu/Sanskrit background - the 3 Mayas that I know certainly aren't..

What about Maia?

I love Maya and Maia, I don't think it's an issue at all x

Maya is a name in so many languages in different forms, I don’t think it’s an issue.

Not keen. Is it May-ah or My-ah? So many similar names around.
If you like it, use it.

Maya is used in most countries (although sometimes spelt as Maia or Maja) - it's very international.

Maya may be have some Sanskrit/Hindi origins but the name also relates to the South American people (Mayans) as well as the Ancient Greek mythological Maia (mother of Hermes) and the Ancient Roman Goddess Maia (after whom the month of May is named) - this is why the name is so popular worldwide, it has links to many cultures!

Only issue is pronunciation - Maya/Maia in the UK can be pronounced as both "May -uh" and "My -uh", there doesn't seem to be a "standard" one.

The first Maya I ever met was German. I think it’s a fairly rare example of a truly international name so I wouldn’t worry about that aspect of it, OP.

Thanks for your responses. I'd seen a couple of threads where the poster wanted to use a name from a different culture and people were responding and saying that it would be inappropriate so it just made me wonder about this name.

I have a Maya and deliberately chose it as it has roots in many languages cultures. I still
Love it

I love this name - I like it pronounced May-uh, currently considering it for baby girl due in Summer so glad to see you have started a thread asking for opinions

I have two in my year group at the moment
One is pronounced May-uh ( like you'd say mayonnaise!)
Other My-ah

It's a popular name but too many soelling/pronunciation issues for my liking

It’s very popular in denmark

Nice but there are lots of Maia, Mia, May, Mae, and Maeves around. The names blur into one.