Declining since 2022, #4,460 for girls today.
Popularity of Yemaya since 1991
Babies named Yemaya per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1990s | 23 |
| 2000s | 47 |
| 2010s | 156 |
| 2020s | 269 |
Meaning & origin
Yemaya, a name deeply rooted in Yoruba spirituality, first appeared on U.S. birth records in 1991, though it remains rare. In 2025, it ranked 4,460 with a frequency of 1 in 51,847 births, and its peak year was 2023. The name is currently falling in use, having declined since 2022. It is most popular in Texas, reflecting communities with Afro-Caribbean heritage. As a variant of Yemọja, it carries a powerful connection to water and motherhood, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with cultural resonance.
Yemaya is a variant of Yemọja, the name of a major Yoruba deity (Ọ̀rìṣà) who is the mother of all living things and the goddess of the ocean. The name was carried to the Americas via the transatlantic slave trade and became central in Afro-Caribbean religions such as Santería and Candomblé, where it is often syncretized with Catholic saints. As a given name in the United States, Yemaya has been used since at least 1991, likely due to cultural and spiritual interest.
Where Yemaya is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Yemi, Maya
Variants: Yemọja, Yemoja, Iemanjá
Sibling names for Yemaya
Names that share Yemaya's style, for a brother or sister.
