Declining since 2007, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Makaya since 1990
Babies named Makaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 137 |
| 2000s | 567 |
| 2010s | 252 |
| 2020s | 65 |
Meaning & origin
Makaya entered U.S. naming records in 1990 and saw a notable rise in the 2000s, reaching its peak rank in 2007. Since then, its usage has declined: in 2025 the name ranked 10,917 with a frequency of 1 in 200,908 births. While the name's exact origins are uncertain, its structure aligns with modern creative coinages that blend established phonetic elements. Makaya has no strong ties to any particular region or cultural group, and it remains a relatively uncommon choice. The trajectory has been clearly falling since 2007, indicating a niche but established place in contemporary American naming.
Makaya is a modern name, likely formed by combining the popular prefix Ma- with the name Kaya, which itself has multiple origins. It first appeared in U.S. records in the 1990s and gained modest usage during the 2000s, peaking in 2007. Its rise reflects a trend of creative, melodic names beginning with 'Ma' for girls.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Maya, Kaya, Mak
Variants: MaKaya, M'kaya
Sibling names for Makaya
Names that share Makaya's style, for a brother or sister.
