Girl name
Maya name meaning
“essence, basic substance; ferment”
Maya means essence, basic substance, or ferment. In its connection with the Turkish word maya, it comes from Persian māya, meaning essence, foundation, or capital, and is used as a feminine name in Türkiye. Its concrete association is the yeast used to make bread dough rise.
- Gender
- ♀ Girl
- Origin
- Persian
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity
- In TÜİK lists
What does Maya mean?
Essence, basic substance; ferment
In Turkish: öz, temel madde; mayalayıcı madde
Through the Turkish word, Maya suggests essence, beginnings, and the element that enables something to develop. Its everyday connection with fermentation strengthens that imagery. However, names spelled Maya in other languages can have independent histories and should not automatically be assigned the Persian-derived Turkish meaning.
How popular is Maya?
Official figures: TÜİK newborn name lists (2018–2025, the top 30 for Türkiye and each of the 81 provinces every year) and the most common names in the population.
- Province lists
- 3provinces
Where is Maya in the top 30?
3 provinces · the latest year each province listed it
Source: TurkStat (TÜİK), Address-Based Population Registration System. The lists cover the top 30 names per year, sex and province; no official counts are published for less common names. All statistics →
Origin of the name Maya
When connected with the Turkish word maya, it derives from Persian māya, “essence, foundation, capital.” International Maya also has independent origins in other traditions, so this is not the only possible explanation.
Double names with Maya
Double-name ideas built from names in our dictionary, with the meaning of each name.
-
Maya Habibe
Meaning of each name
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
- Habibe: beloved woman; dear friend
-
Ezel Maya
Meaning of each name
- Ezel: beginningless past; eternity without beginning
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
-
Maya Nihan
Meaning of each name
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
- Nihan: hidden, concealed; unseen
-
Şirin Maya
Meaning of each name
- Şirin: sweet, pleasant, charming
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
-
Maya Berrin
Meaning of each name
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
- Berrin: highest; most exalted
-
Ferzan Maya
Meaning of each name
- Ferzan: wise, discerning
- Maya: essence, basic substance; ferment
How to pronounce Maya
| Syllables | 2 · 4 letters · 4-letter girl names |
|---|---|
| IPA | /maja/ |
Is Maya a girl’s name?
Yes, Maya is used mostly as a girl’s name. See all girl names.
Maya appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
Spellings and similar names
Names that sound like Maya
Names with related meanings
- Umay♀Protective female figure in ancient Turkic belief
- Ayşe♀Living woman
- Ayşegül♀A combination of Ayşe and rose
- Havva♀Life
- Nefes♀Breath
- Reyyan♀Quenched with water
- Ayşenur♀Ayşe combined with Nur, meaning light
- Cansu♀Water of life
- Ömür♀Lifespan
- Havvanur♀Havva combined with light
- Hayat♀Life, the state of being alive
- Nihal♀Young tree
Famous people named Maya
- Maya Altınok
- Maya Başol · b. 2015
- Maya Perest · b. 1996
- Maya Tekeli · b. 1994
FAQ about the name Maya
What is the meaning of Maya?
Maya means “essence, basic substance; ferment”. When connected with the Turkish word maya, it derives from Persian māya, “essence, foundation, capital.” International Maya also has independent origins in other traditions, so this is not the only possible explanation.
Is Maya a girl’s name?
Yes, Maya is used mostly as a girl’s name.
Is Maya in the Quran?
No. Neither the name Maya nor its source word occurs in the Quran.
What is the origin of the name Maya?
Maya is of Persian origin.
How many syllables does Maya have?
Maya has 2 syllables and 4 letters.
How popular is the name Maya?
Maya appears in TÜİK’s most-used name lists. See the statistics section above (Source: TurkStat, ADNKS).
What names go well with Maya?
Some ideas: Maya Habibe; Ezel Maya; Maya Nihan.
Famous people named Maya?
Notable people named Maya include Maya Altınok, Maya Başol, Maya Perest.
Sources and method
Meanings and origins draw on language sources and name dictionaries; popularity figures come from TÜİK’s address-based population register, and notable people from Wikidata.
Entry ID: nm01422 · Updated 2026-10-24 · How we research names · Report a mistake