Surname Maia - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Maia: What does the surname Maia mean?
Maia is a surname of Portuguese origin. The name is derived from the name of a town in the Braga district of northwestern Portugal. In the ancient Roman religion and mythology, Maia is considered as the goddess of springtime, warmth, and increase, and is the daughter of the Roman God, Vulcan. In Greek mythology, Maia is one of the Seven Sisters or Pleiades and is the mother of Hermes by Zeus. Furthermore, in Maori, "Maia" translates to "brave" or "bold". Like many surnames, the original meaning can depend on the historical and regional context. However, the spelling "Maia" may also be of Italian origin, used in honor of the Roman goddess Maia. Over time it has been widespread in several countries, becoming popular and recognized internationally. Its meaning, therefore, can vary according to different cultures and beliefs. Regardless, the name Maia carries a sense of strength, bravery, and divinity.
Order DNA origin analysisMaia: Where does the name Maia come from?
The surname Maia has several potential origins. It could stem from Portuguese or Spanish roots, where it might be a toponymic surname derived from the town of Maia in Porto, Portugal, or the Maia municipality in the Azores. The Maia surname also has roots in Roman mythology where Maia is a daughter of Atlas and the mother of Mercury. The surname could thus be of Latin origin.
It’s common in Portuguese and Brazilian societies today. In Portugal, it’s primarily found in Póvoa de Varzim, the northwestern part of the country. In contrast, the Maia surname is widespread across Brazil, possibly due to Portugal colonizing Brazil in the past. According to several surname distribution statistics, it ranks as one of the most common surnames in Brazil. While the Maia surname is less prominent in other parts of the world, it is not unheard of and can be found within various international communities.
Variations of the surname Maia
The surname Maia is of Portuguese origin and it has few variations due to its simple and short form. Some of the spellings might include Maya, Mayia, Maja or Mayya. However, these variants are uncommon and mostly dependent on phonetical translations or regional accents.
The surname MAIA is also tied to some other surnames from different origins. For instance, in Polynesian (especially Maori) culture, it's associated with the surname "Maika." Among the Basque population, the surname "Maiz" is considered linked to "Maia". In Latin cultures, particularly Roman, "Maio" or "Maione" surnames hold connections to "Maia".
There are patronymic derivatives of the surname too, like "Maias", "Maiato", "Maiada" and "Maiado", which are common in regions of Portugal. These variants often add the suffix "-s" or "-to", indicating "son of Maia" or "belonging to Maia".
Due to the global spread of Portuguese explorers and colonists, the surname Maia can be found in various countries, including Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, India (Goa), and even Japan, where it might undergo changes to fit local phonetic and grammatical structures.
Famous people with the name Maia
- José Guilherme Maia, Brazilian singer and songwriter
- António Maia, Portuguese footballer
- Francisco Maia, Brazilian footballer
- Jorma Maia, Brazilian basketball player
- Vanessa da Mata, Brazilian singer and songwriter
- Vitor Maia, Brazilian singer and songwriter
- Elisabeth Maia, a Brazilian religions scholar
- Vicente Maia, Portuguese astronomer
- Paulo César Maia, Brazilian footballer
- Fernanda Maia, Brazilian actress
- Filipe Maia, Brazilian athlete
- Saulo Maia, Brazilian MMA athlete
- Leonardo Maia, Brazilian comedian
- Diogo Maia, Brazilian comedian
- Ademar Maia, Brazilian actor
- Fabiano Maia, Brazilian actor
- Mark Maia, Brazilian actor
- Thiago Maia, Brazilian footballer
- Astrid Maia, Portuguese Paralympic athlete
- Diogo Maia, Brazilian volleyball player