Mayu
A girl's name of Japanese origin with 204 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A female given name from Japanese.
Mayu is a girl's baby name of Japanese origin, combining characters meaning 'true' (ma) and 'reason, superior' or 'gentle' (yu), though the exact meaning varies by kanji selection. It can also mean 'cocoon' in Japanese, evoking transformation and the potential within.
Mayu is a popular feminine name in Japan — simple, musical, and carrying a gentle strength. Its cocoon imagery is particularly evocative: a name for a child full of unrealized, transforming potential.
EtymologyShow more
Mayu appeared in SSA records in 1990, placing it in the modern era of American naming — a period when parents increasingly began breaking from generational naming patterns, experimenting with spelling, and treating naming as a form of creative self-expression. Its Japanese roots may have been the starting point, adapted or respelled to fit contemporary American tastes.
With only 204 recorded births, Mayu has not been widely studied in naming literature — its story belongs primarily to the families who chose it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Mayu climbed 1592 spots in the last 20 years — from #12355 to #10763.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 22 | #12792 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 49 | #14405 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 75 | #13732 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 58 | #11696 | — |
The Story of Mayu
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2005, Mayu is a name that defines a generation. Girls named Mayu are most likely born between 1995 and 2015.
How rare is Mayu?
Only about 1 in every 400,000 babies born in 2024 was named Mayu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1990, peaked in the 2000s with 75 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Mayu by the numbers
- Would fill 4 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(28 years, 1990–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | #10763 |
| 2022 | 7 | #13102 |
| 2020 | 6 | #14512 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15018 |
| 2017 | 7 | #13613 |
| 2015 | 8 | #12614 |
| 2014 | 5 | #18307 |
| 2013 | 6 | #15877 |
| 2012 | 7 | #14496 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10909 |
| 2009 | 7 | #14693 |
| 2008 | 8 | #13387 |
| 2007 | 10 | #11357 |
| 2006 | 5 | #19062 |
| 2005 | 11 | #9898 |
| 2004 | 8 | #12355 |
| 2003 | 5 | #17441 |
| 2002 | 6 | #14783 |
| 2001 | 8 | #11681 |
| 2000 | 7 | #12660 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Mayu most popular?
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Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1990–2024