Mya

Mya is a feminine given name used in multiple cultures. Often it is treated as a variant of Maya, Maia, or Mia, but it can also function as a standalone name with no single, fixed origin. The etymology is layered and varied, with possible ties to the Sanskrit name Maya meaning “illusion,” to Maia, a Greek goddess, and to the name Mia derived from Maria in several languages.

Uses of the name have spread through English-speaking countries and beyond, particularly from the late 20th century onward, as parents adopted shorter, vowel-friendly spellings. In some contexts, Mya can reflect family or cultural preferences for contemporary, easy-to-pronounce names.

Notable people named Mya include Mýa Harrison, the American singer, songwriter, and actress who rose to prominence in the late 1990s; Mya Taylor, an American actress known for her role in the film Tangerine (2015); and Mya-Lecia Naylor (2002–2019), an English child actress noted for work in television and cinema. The name also appears in various forms in popular culture and fiction, often chosen for its concise pronunciation and modern feel.

Variants and related names include Maya, Maia, Mia, and May. As a given name, Mya remains a widely used option in many countries, valued for its simplicity and melodic quality.