Sorry for posting so many times recently! [name_m]Just[/name_m] wanted to get some thoughts on two more names.
[name_f]Maya[/name_f] –
This one has been on and off my list for the past few years. It’s in the top 100 in the US, which is more popular than I would like, but I have met very few people in real life named [name_f]Maya[/name_f] so it doesn’t seem as popular as the rankings would have me believe.
I think I prefer [name_f]Maya[/name_f] to [name_f]Maia[/name_f], but I would consider both spellings. To me, they are pronounced the same way (MY-uh), and I know some people on here sometimes say that they would pronounce [name_f]Maya[/name_f] as MAY-uh, but I have never heard that pronunciation in real life either so that also seems like less of an issue. Maybe it’s a country/regional thing?
Pros for [name_f]Maya[/name_f]/[name_f]Maia[/name_f] –
- [name_f]Maya[/name_f] [name_f]Angelou[/name_f] is a great namesake
- [name_u]Strong[/name_u] history behind it, with the Mayan civilization and the goddess [name_f]Maia[/name_f]
- Good meaning, with [name_f]Maya[/name_f] meaning water and [name_f]Maia[/name_f] meaning mother I believe
- Soft yet strong, simple yet elegant
Potential cons for [name_f]Maya[/name_f]/[name_f]Maia[/name_f] –
- Really no good nicknames or short versions at all
- Despite all the good history behind it, it feels a little insubstantial almost? Lacking some personality or sparkle or uniqueness?
[name_f]Maeve[/name_f] –
First heard this one on a real life child about a year ago, and fell in love! So spunky and strong but still adorable, can definitely see on a baby to toddler to teenager to adult. I also love that it calls back to my Irish heritage. I definitely prefer the Anglicized spelling, since I’m in an area that wouldn’t handle the traditional spelling well, and I think [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] visually is prettier personally. However, ever since I heard this name, I feel like I’ve seen it EVERYWHERE on Nameberry and I’m worried it’s poised to spike to the top of the charts soon!
Pros for [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] –
- Great history and character and strength behind the name
- Very sweet, but also very strong
- I like the Irish background
- Easy to spell and pronounce with this spelling
- Could call her “[name_f]Mae[/name_f]” in a pinch (“Hey [name_f]Mae[/name_f], can you grab the milk from the fridge?” etc)
Potential cons for [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] –
- Getting far too popular?? Or maybe not? Might be NB bias
- [name_f]My[/name_f] last name is one syllable. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] would work with a one syllable last name?
What are your thoughts? As we all are, I’m sure, I’m really trying to find a sweet spot name that is recognizable but still unique, strong and substantial, passes the resume test, works on a variety of ages, causes others to think “Wow, that’s a cool name!” but doesn’t seem pretentious or snooty or too out-there (i.e. too fantasy, too medieval, not wearable), is not too tired or overused or boring, and will hopefully not be tied to a particular era. I do not want my children to be FirstName LastInitial their whole lives (like I am!), and I also don’t want them to have to explain their name or spell it or hear it pronounced incorrectly by everyone they meet. With that in mind… [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_f]Maya[/name_f] and [name_f]Maeve[/name_f] should have a place on my list?
Current other name crushes/faves: [name_f]Fiona[/name_f], [name_f]Freya[/name_f], [name_f]Eliza[/name_f], [name_f]Eloise[/name_f], [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], [name_f]Juno[/name_f], [name_f]Astrid[/name_f], [name_f]Ramona[/name_f], [name_f]Azalea[/name_f], [name_f]Cosima[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. Also considering [name_f]Stella[/name_f], [name_u]Vivian[/name_u], and [name_f]Imogen[/name_f], but my husband isn’t a fan of those ones so we will see