"beloved, sea of bitterness"
Origin: Hebrew via Maria (Slavic)
Language: Polish
Maja
Does Maja flow with your last name?
From Goya's canvas to Scandinavian nurseries — timeless elegance
Polish
Croatian
Scandinavian
German
Arabic
Slovene
Elegant
International
Minimalist
Classic
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"to walk with pride and grace"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"great, superior"
Origin: Latin (Maya root)
Language: Scandinavian
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Maja
See all →What the Maja report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Maja the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Maja
Maja is a wonderfully multicultural name used across several traditions. In Slavic countries (Poland, Croatia, Slovenia), Maja is a form of Maria, meaning 'beloved' or derived from the Hebrew 'Miriam'. In Scandinavian countries, Maja is the beloved short form of Maja/Maija, the Swedish and Finnish form of Maria. In Arabic, Maja (ماجة) means 'to walk with pride and grace'. The name gained international art-world fame from Francisco Goya's revolutionary paintings 'La maja vestida' and 'La maja desnuda' (c.1797-1800).
Maja has been consistently among the most popular girls' names in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries for decades. In the early 2000s it gained wider recognition in English-speaking countries as an exotic alternative to Maya or Mia, carrying European sophistication.
Francisco Goya's paintings of 'La Maja' are among the most iconic works in Western art history, depicting a bold, confident young Spanish woman. In Spanish, 'maja' described a fashionable young person of the urban working class known for their flair. In Scandinavia, Maja is a beloved everyday name with a cozy, familiar feel.
Historical Record
Maja first appeared in US Social Security records in 1953.
Over 2,009 babies have been named Maja in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maja is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #3,976 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Goya's 'La maja desnuda' was one of the first Western paintings to show a nude woman without mythological context
- Maja is consistently among the top 10 girls' names in Sweden
Maja in Other Languages
Arabic
ماجة
German
Maja
Polish
Maja
Spanish
Maja
Swedish
Maja
Croatian
Maja
Popularity Over Time
#3,976
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maja
M
Maja Salvador
Actor
1988
Filipino actress and singer, one of the most prominent stars in Philippine entertainment
M
Maja Einstein
Other
1881
Younger sister of physicist Albert Einstein, a philologist and teacher, with whom Albert was deeply close throughout his...
Younger sister of physicist Albert Einstein, a philologist and teacher, with whom Albert was deeply close throughout his life
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Daniyah
Girl
"close, near (to God)"
#4,086
Amalie
Girl
"work, industrious"
#3,944
Nico
Girl
"victory of the people"
#4,132
Leyna
Girl
"tender, gentle, soft"
#4,063
Daliyah
Girl
"grapevine"
#4,079
Compare Maja with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,976
- Total SSA Count
- 37
- Cultural Origins
- Polish Croatian Scandinavian German Arabic Slovene
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, elegant style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Polish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Arabic heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maja
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Maja fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Maja →Compare Maja with...
Same Origin Names (Polish)
See all Polish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Maja
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Maja and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Maja sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Daniyah
Girl
Arabic origin
"close, near (to God)"
#4,086 in US
Amalie
Girl
Germanic (amal) origin
"work, industrious"
#3,944 in US
Nico
Girl
Greek Nikolaos origin
"victory of the people"
#4,132 in US
Leyna
Girl
Arabic origin
"tender, gentle, soft"
#4,063 in US
Daliyah
Girl
Arabic origin
"grapevine"
#4,079 in US
Zorah
Girl
Hebrew (Tzorah) origin
"dawn, the bright place"
#3,962 in US
Kiersten
Girl
Scandinavian origin
"Scandinavian form of Christine, anointed"
#3,900 in US
Sumayya
Girl
Arabic origin
"high, exalted"
#4,071 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Maja's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maja
What does the name Maja mean?
"beloved, sea of bitterness" (from Hebrew via Maria (Slavic)). "to walk with pride and grace" (from Arabic). "great, superior" (from Latin (Maya root)). Maja is a wonderfully multicultural name used across several traditions. In Slavic countries (Poland, Croatia, Slovenia), Maja is a form of Maria, meaning 'beloved' or derived from the Hebrew 'Miriam'. In Scandinavian countries, Maja is the beloved short form of Maja/Maija, the Swedish and Finnish form of Maria. In Arabic, Maja (ماجة) means 'to walk with pride and grace'. The name gained international art-world fame from Francisco Goya's revolutionary paintings 'La maja vestida' and 'La maja desnuda' (c.1797-1800).
What is the origin of the name Maja?
Maja has Hebrew via Maria (Slavic), Arabic, Latin (Maya root), Polish, Croatian, Scandinavian, German, and Slovene origins. In Hebrew via Maria (Slavic), it means "beloved, sea of bitterness". In Arabic, it means "to walk with pride and grace". In Latin (Maya root), it means "great, superior".
Is Maja a boy or girl name?
Maja is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Maja?
Maja is currently ranked #3976 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Maja?
Popular middle name pairings include Maja Rose, Maja Elise, Maja Sophie, Maja Anna, and Maja Claire.
What are good sibling names for Maja?
Names that pair well with Maja as siblings include Lena, Nora, Elsa, Emil, and Lukas.
How many syllables does Maja have?
Maja has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maja a common or rare name?
Maja is an uncommon name, ranked #3976 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Maja?
Are there other spellings for Maja?
Related spellings include Majesty.
About the Name Maja
Maja is a girl name with Polish, Croatian, Scandinavian, German, Arabic, and Slovene origins . The name means "beloved, sea of bitterness" in Hebrew via Maria (Slavic) .
Maja is currently ranked #3,976 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maja has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Maja include Majesty . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew via Maria (Slavic) Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Maja
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis