Maja Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MY-ah //ˈmaɪ.ə//
Origin: Slavic; Scandinavian; Latin
Meaning: Slavic: 'the greatest'; Latin: 'pearl'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Maja has roots in multiple linguistic traditions, primarily deriving from the Latin name "Maia," which is associated with the Roman goddess of spring and growth. The name is believed to have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *magh-, meaning "to be able, to have power." This etymological journey continued through the Latin language, where Maia was revered as a deity of fertility, and subsequently influenced various cultures, including Slavic and Scandinavian languages, where Maja emerged as a common feminine form.
In these contexts, Maja often retains connotations of spring and renewal, echoing its mythological origins. Historically, the name Maja has been linked to significant cultural milestones.
In Slavic traditions, it is often associated with the celebration of spring festivals, symbolizing rebirth and fertility. The name has appeared in various literary and artistic works throughout the centuries, contributing to its cultural resonance.
In the 19th century, the name gained further prominence in literature, particularly in the works of authors who sought to evoke themes of nature and femininity. Additionally, the name has been borne by notable figures in history, including artists and writers, which has helped to cement its place in cultural memory.
Culturally, Maja is often associated with qualities such as vitality and creativity, reflecting its connections to nature and growth. In some traditions, diminutive forms like Maja or Maja are used affectionately, enhancing the name's endearing qualities.
The enduring appeal of Maja can be attributed to its rich historical background and the positive attributes associated with its meaning, making it a name that resonates across various cultures and eras.
Famous people named Maja
In this section, you will find notable people named Maja. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Maja who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Maja who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Maja Salvador is an actress and dancer best known for The Legal Wife, Wildflower, and Maalaala Mo Kaya.
Maja Lunde is an author best known for The History of Bees, The End of the Ocean, and The Last Wild Horses.
Fictional characters named Maja
The following list of fictional characters named Maja is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Maja is a fictional character from the video game series The Legend of Zelda. She is a key character in the game Majora's Mask, where she plays a significant role in the story's events.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Maja, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Maja. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Maja was first seen in the United States in 1953.
Maja has ranked as high as #1294 nationally, which occurred in 2009, and has been most popular in Illinois, California, New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota.
In the past 5 years the name Maja has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Maja is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Maja was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Maja (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 5 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Maja.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 37 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2022 | 52 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2020 | 37 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2018 | 51 |
| 2017 | 49 |
| 2016 | 55 |
| 2015 | 61 |
| 2014 | 43 |
| 2013 | 50 |
| 2012 | 57 |
| 2011 | 81 |
| 2010 | 77 |
| 2009 | 84 |
| 2008 | 74 |
| 2007 | 80 |
| 2006 | 75 |
| 2005 | 75 |
| 2004 | 45 |
| 2003 | 61 |
| 2002 | 42 |
| 2001 | 53 |
| 2000 | 50 |
| 1999 | 35 |
| 1998 | 40 |
| 1997 | 14 |
| 1996 | 24 |
| 1995 | 28 |
| 1994 | 18 |
| 1993 | 15 |
| 1992 | 16 |
| 1991 | 16 |
| 1990 | 15 |
| 1989 | 19 |
| 1988 | 19 |
| 1987 | 20 |
| 1986 | 9 |
| 1985 | 11 |
| 1984 | 14 |
| 1983 | 8 |
| 1982 | 20 |
| 1981 | 14 |
| 1980 | 19 |
| 1979 | 17 |
| 1978 | 19 |
| 1977 | 21 |
| 1976 | 13 |
| 1975 | 13 |
| 1974 | 14 |
| 1973 | 9 |
| 1972 | 14 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1970 | 13 |
| 1969 | 7 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1965 | 7 |
| 1964 | 6 |
| 1963 | 6 |
| 1961 | 6 |
| 1959 | 6 |
| 1953 | 5 |