Amaya

Updated: October 23, 2023 by MomsWhoThink Staff

Amaya is a baby name rising in popularity around the world and in the media. The name Amaya Jiwe is a female superhero featured in DC Comics, and Amaya of Katolis is a central character in the computer-animated series The Dragon Prince. Keep reading to find out more about this stylish baby name.

Meaning of the Name Amaya

Amaya is a given name and surname with Spanish and Basque language origins. The Spanish origin derives from the Proto-Indo-European root am(ma) (which meant “mother”). By adding the suffix –ya, Amaya came to refer to the “mother city” or “capital city” of a region. For the Basque language, the name may have derived from the Proto-Basque word amaia (which meant “the end”).

The name has various meanings in other parts of the world. In Japan, Amaya is a baby girl name composed of the Japanese characters that spell “heavenly valley” or “pleasant place.” Similarly, the Arabic alphabet uses letters that produce the transliteration “night rain.” In South Asia, Amaya is a common baby name that means “without illusion.”

Derived from Sanskrit, the name combines the prefix a– (meaning “without”) and the Sanskrit root maya (meaning “illusion” or “magic”). Therefore, the modern Hindi name refers to a girl who is guileless, virtuous, or free from deceit. In Spanish, Amaya referred to a capital city or mother city of a region. Often located in mountainous areas for protection, these cities used castles, citadels, or snow-capped mountains as symbols of wealth and prosperity. The Arabic representation of the name often uses rain as the symbol of pleasantness and peace.

Nicknames for Amaya

The name Amaya evokes feelings of wholesomeness and refinement. For such a cute and caring name, it should be paired with a fun and bright nickname. Below, we've compiled a list of possible options for nicknaming the Amaya in your life:

Ama
AA
Mya
Maya
Mimi
YaYa
Amy

Amaya Name Details

Style: Traditional

Gender: Amaya is traditionally considered to be a girls name.

Pronunciation: ah-MAI-yah

Syllables: Three

Alternative Spelling for Amaya

Amayah
Ammaya
Amaia

Amaya Name Popularity

According to the Social Security Administration index, Amaya was the 140th most popular baby name for girls in 2020. Amaya first gained popularity in the U.S. in 1999. The name ranked 397th for girls that year.