Maja is a feminine given name of Slavic origin, derived from the Proto-Slavic word "maj" which means "the month of May". It is also associated with the Latin word for "May", "Maius".
The name Maja has been popular among the Slavic peoples for centuries and can be found in many variations throughout Eastern Europe. In Croatia, for instance, it is one of the most common female names.
Historically, the name Maja was used by ancient Slavs to honor the arrival of spring and the blooming of flowers during the month of May. It was also believed to bring good fortune and happiness to those who bore this name.
Today, Maja continues to be a popular choice for parents naming their daughters in Slavic countries such as Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Macedonia, and Bulgaria. It has also gained international recognition due to its musical association with the famous opera "La Bohème" by Giacomo Puccini, in which one of the main characters is named Mimi, short for Maja.
In terms of its meaning and significance, Maja carries connotations of freshness, beauty, and renewal. It evokes images of blooming flowers, warm weather, and the joyful spirit of springtime. Therefore, parents who choose this name often wish to bestow upon their daughters a sense of optimism, vitality, and grace.
In summary, Maja is a Slavic feminine given name with origins dating back centuries ago. It was originally associated with the month of May and the arrival of spring. Today, it continues to be popular in Slavic countries and carries connotations of beauty, freshness, and renewal.
Based on the statistics provided, we can observe the trend of the number of newborn girls named Maja in the United States from 1953 to 2023.
The name Maja first appeared as a given name for newborn girls in the U.S. in 1953 with five births recorded that year. The frequency of the name increased gradually over time, reaching its peak popularity during the late 1970s and early 1980s. In 1977, there were 21 births, which was the highest number of newborn girls named Maja in any single year since records began.
The popularity of the name Maja continued to fluctuate throughout the following decades. There were periods where the number of newborn girls named Maja decreased significantly, such as between 1983 and 1984 (from 20 births to 14 births), and between 1997 and 1998 (from 14 births to 40 births).
However, despite these fluctuations, the name Maja has maintained a consistent presence among baby girls' names in the United States. As of 2023, there have been at least three newborn girls named Maja born this year alone.
In total, from 1953 to 2023, there have been 1971 newborn girls named Maja in the United States. This statistic demonstrates that while not exceptionally common, the name Maja has been a popular choice for parents over multiple generations.