Yemaya

“Mother of waters.” — Associated with motherhood

Nigeria origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#2974US 2023

57Births / yr

↑Rising

260All-time births

📅 Since 199100

How to pronounce Yemaya

YEM·EYE·uh

/ˈjɛm.ˈaɪ.ə/ · stress on YEM · 3 syllables

“Mother of waters.”

Associated with motherhood · Nigeria origin

What does Yemaya mean and where does it come from?

Yemaya is a deity in the Yoruba religion, often associated with motherhood, the sea, and fertility. She is especially venerated in Cuban Santería and is considered the goddess of the sea and rivers. Yemaya is often depicted as a nurturing figure. The name is popular in Afro-Caribbean cultures and is

Cultural significance

Yemaya has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in Nigeria-speaking communities, where it reflects values of mother of waters..

Peak popularity

Reached #3790 in 2020 — currently #2974 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Yemaya?

Yemaya works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Yemaya Grace

How popular is Yemaya right now?

Rising fast — up 300 spots — currently #2974 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 2000–2023#2974 · Top 2.2%

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#2974	57	▲ up 300 · +14% births
2022	#3274	50	▲ up 61 · +4% births
2021	#3335	48	▲ up 455 · +26% births
2020	#3790	38	▲ up 3055 · +111% births
2015	#6845	18	▲ up 3996 · +80% births
2010	#10841	10	▲ up 1585 · +25% births
2005	#12426	8	▲ up 3958 · +60% births
2000	#16384	5	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Yemaya

Best Year2023Rank #2974

Peak Count57

Average Rank#7484

Current Trend↗Rising

Data Range2000 - 20238 years

The story of Yemaya

Yemaya is a relatively modern name, first appearing in US records in 1991. With 260 total births recorded, Yemaya remains relatively uncommon. The name has grown more popular over time, rising from #16384 in 2000 to #2974 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Yemaya in 2020:

Olivia Emma Ava Charlotte Sophia

Yemaya by decade

Yemaya peaked in the 2020s. See all 2020s names →

Decade	Births
1990s	23
2000s	47
2010s ★	152
2020s	38

💎Yemaya has only 260 total recorded births since 1991 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Yemaya?

Common

YemYemieYemyAya

What names sound and feel like Yemaya?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Yemaya also consider these

Arabic · to increase, to

Arab countries · to guide, to

Common questions about the name Yemaya

What does the name Yemaya mean?

Yemaya means "Mother of waters." — a name rooted in Nigeria tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Yemaya?

Yemaya is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Yemaya have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Yemaya?

Yemaya originates from Nigeria tradition. Nigeria names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Yemaya?

Yemaya is a three-syllable name pronounced Y EH1 M AY1 AH0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Yemaya?

Yemaya pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar Nigeria heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.