Maia is the Greek spelling of a name more commonly seen as Maya, and the distinction matters to owners who are specifically referencing the goddess rather than the month or the general modern-name feel. Maia was the eldest of the Pleiades in Greek mythology, associated with spring and the nurturing of young life, which gives the name a mythological depth that Maya doesn't automatically carry.
Mythology vs. Modern Name
The Greek Maia predates the modern use of Maya by two millennia. She was the mother of Hermes and associated with earth and growing things: a softer, more grounded deity than the Olympian main cast. Owners who choose this specific spelling are often aware of the mythological reference and prefer it to the more common form. Whippets and Italian Greyhounds, elegant, slightly classical-looking breeds, appear with Maia at above-average rates.
Human-Pet Crossover
Maia functions as a given name for humans too; the human Maia page tracks its documented use across Greek, Roman, and modern Western traditions. Naming a female pet Maia therefore reads as genuinely personal rather than cutesy.
Counter-Read
Maia's spelling will consistently be questioned: most people expect Maya and will default to that form in text. The name requires the owner to be comfortable spelling it out. For the same mythology-origin register without spelling complexity, compare Luna or Iris from the same classical tradition.