Amaya
Meaning of Amaya
Amaya is the Spanish spelling of Amaia, a Basque name usually explained as meaning "the end." It is pronounced ah-MAH-yah in Spanish and uh-MY-uh in American English.
Francisco Navarro Villoslada's 1879 historical novel Amaya, set among the Basques of the 8th century, helped make the name popular in Spain. Well-known bearers include Spanish basketball star Amaya Valdemoro, who won three WNBA titles with the Houston Comets, and Nicaraguan student activist Amaya Coppens, a 2020 recipient of the International Women of Courage Award.
In the United States, Amaya was rare until the late 1990s, then rose from 1,458th place in 1998 to 196th in 2000. It peaked at 129th in 2018 and ranked 180th in 2025, when 1,723 babies were given the name.
Pronunciation
Spanish
- Pronunced as ah-MAH-yah (/aˈmaʝa/)
American English
- Pronunced as uh-MY-uh (/əˈmaɪə/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Amaya
| Amaya Alonso Alvarez is a Spanish Paralympic swimmer who competed at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Paralympics. |
| Amaya Valdemoro is a Spanish former basketball star who won three WNBA titles with the Houston Comets, a EuroLeague crown, eight Spanish league titles, a Russian league title, and the 2006 Russian League Player of the Year award. |
| Amaya Eva Coppens Zamora is a Belgian born Nicaraguan student activist, a leader of the April 19 University Movement during protests against President Daniel Ortega, and a 2020 International Woman of Courage. |
| Amaya Coleman-Evans - Amaya Coleman Evans is a Spanish forward for Burnley. |
| Amaya Arzuaga is a Spanish designer. |
