Maja is a feminine given name used in Croatian, Danish, German, Hungarian, Norwegian, Polish, Serbian, Slovene, and Swedish. It is a form of the name Maia 1 in various languages, deriving from ancient Greek origins.EtymologyThe name ultimately comes from Greek μαῖα (maia), meaning “good mother,” “dame,” or “foster mother.” This word may have originated as a nursery form of μήτηρ (mētēr, “mother”). The name is deeply rooted in classical mythology: Maia was the eldest of the Pleiades, the seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione. According to myth, she was the mother of Hermes by Zeus.Cultural SignificanceIn Scandinavian and German-speaking countries, Maja became a common name in the 19th and 20th centuries, often seen as a short form of Maria but also as a direct adoption from Greek. In Slavic countries like Poland, Serbia, and Slovenia, Maja is among the top feminine names, celebrated on name days linked to Saint Mary or the month of May. The Hungarian variant is consistently spelled Maja.Notable BearersMaja Ognjenović (born 1994), Serbian volleyball playerMaja Kezele, retired Croatian alpine skierMaja Salvador, Filipina actress and dancerMaja Vidmar, Slovenian poetModern Usage and VariantsRelated forms include Maj 2 (Norwegian), Majka (Polish diminutive), and the mythology-origin Maia 1 (Roman Mythology). In English, equivalents are Mara, Maya, and Mya.Key FactsMeaning: “good mother,” from Greek maiaOrigin: Greek mythologyGender: FeminineUsage regions: Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden