Declining since 2021, #7,679 for boys today.
Popularity of Maasai since 2011
Babies named Maasai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 2010s | 65 |
| 2020s | 94 |
Meaning & origin
Maasai entered U.S. naming records in 2011, ranking 7,679th in 2025 and given to about 1 in 170,808 boys. Its peak popularity came in 2020, after which it has been falling. The name directly references the Maasai people, an ethnic group in Kenya and Tanzania known for their distinctive culture and language. As a modern, place-inspired choice, Maasai has not been recorded in any top states or shown signs of revival, remaining a highly uncommon name. Its usage likely reflects interest in African heritage or a desire for a distinctive name with a clear cultural reference. Despite its rarity, the name carries a strong geographical and ethnic identity, making it a bold choice for parents seeking a name with a specific connection to East Africa.
The name Maasai is borrowed from the ethnonym of the Maasai people, a Nilotic ethnic group in Kenya and Tanzania. The term itself likely comes from the Maa language word 'maa', meaning 'language' or 'speech'. As a given name, it is a modern, place-related choice, first recorded in the United States in 2011.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Masai
Sibling names for Maasai
Names that share Maasai's style, for a brother or sister.
