10 Baby Names for Boys and Girls inspired by the concept of ‘Maya’

Intro — what *māyā* means and why it inspires names

Māyā is a layered Sanskrit term often glossed as “illusion,” “creative power” or “that which makes the world appear.” In Advaita Vedānta texts it is the power that veils Brahman; in many Bhakti and Śaiva traditions it is the divine power or play (līlā) of God; in Buddhism Māyā (Māyādevī) is the name of the Buddha’s mother. Use and interpretation vary across schools, but common threads are wonder, creative force and the mysterious nature of appearance. Below are names for boys and girls that are inspired by those themes — direct derivatives of *māyā*, words for divine play, power, form and mystery, plus culturally familiar variants.

Boys — 10 names inspired by māyā, līlā and creative power

• Mayur (Mayūra) — “peacock.” The peacock’s dazzling display often symbolizes beauty and the play of appearance; used widely across India. Nicknames: Mayu, Pur.
• Mayādhar (Māyādhar) — “bearer of māyā.” A Sanskrit compound that evokes one connected with the mysterious creative power; suitable for parents who like classical formations. Nickname: Madhav, Adhar.
• Mayānath (Māyānātha) — “lord/master of māyā.” A devotional-sounding name that can be read as someone who understands or presides over cosmic power. Nickname: Nath, Mayan.
• Leeladhar (Līlādhar) — “bearer of divine play.” Commonly used in devotional registers (an epithet of Krishna in some schools), it emphasises līlā — the world as sacred play. Nickname: Leel, Lilo.
• Vilas (Vilāsa) — “play, charm, grace.” Evokes the lighter, playful aspect of the cosmos and artistry rather than deceptive meaning. Nickname: Vi.
• Chhayank (from chhāyā) — “shadowed/with shadow.” From *chhāyā* (shadow), a poetic way to reference appearance and its subtlety. Nickname: Chhay.
• Rahasya (Rāhasya) — “mystery, secret.” Points to the unknowable or hidden side of reality that māyā gestures to; modest and contemplative. Nickname: Rah.
• Prakrit (from prakṛti) — “nature, the manifest.” In Sāṅkhya and other systems the manifest world (prakṛti) is the field where māyā appears; here used as a strong, earthy name. Nickname: Prak.
• Mayavic (Mayāvika / Mayavi) — “one who is magical or illusion-like.” A literary name often meaning “magician” or “enchanter”; can be used for a creative, artistic sensibility. Nickname: Vick, Mayu.
• Bhāvan (from bhāva) — “feeling, becoming, manifestation.” Suggests the emotional, manifest side of reality; honors the way appearance and inner sentiment intertwine. Nickname: Bhav.

Girls — 10 names inspired by māyā, līlā and divine power

• Maya (Māyā) — direct and timeless: “illusion / creative power / grace.” Used across India and in many languages; also the name of the Buddha’s mother (Māyādevī). Simple and profound. Nicknames: Mayu, May.
• Mayavati (Māyavatī) — “endowed with māyā / charm.” A classical-style feminine form that suggests beauty and enchantment without pejorative sense. Nickname: Vati, Maya.
• Mayadevi (Māyādevī) — “Goddess Māyā.” Echoes the Pāli and Sanskrit tradition of Māyā as a divine mother; respectful and devotional in tone. Nickname: Devi, Maya.
• Leela / Leelaa (Līlā) — “play, divine sport.” A very popular name that centres the idea of the world as sacred play; used widely in Vaishnava and general devotional contexts. Nickname: Leelu, Leel.
• Shakti (Śakti) — “power, energy.” Though broader than māyā, Śakti is the feminine power that enacts creation and manifestation, a positive choice with strong religious resonance. Nickname: Shak.
• Prakriti (Prakṛti) — “nature, the manifest world.” Emphasises the material/creative aspect of existence, a philosophically rooted name with earthy warmth. Nickname: Praki, Kriti.
• Chhaya (Chāyā) — “shadow, reflection.” Poetic and gentle, it evokes the subtle appearance or mirroring aspect linked to māyā. Nickname: Chhu, Chaya.
• Mayali (Mayālī) — “playful, charming.” A modern-sounding feminine form that leans into enchantment and grace; easy to pronounce across languages. Nickname: Mali, Maya.
• Rahasya (Rāhasyā) — “mystery.” As a feminine name it foregrounds wonder and the hidden, contemplative quality associated with spiritual enquiry. Nickname: Raha.
• Mayurini (Mayurīnī) — “peahen / graceful as a peacock.” Combines aesthetic beauty and the sense of alluring appearance; useful where visual splendour is a positive idea rather than deception. Nickname: Rini, Mayu.

Choosing a name — practical notes

Many of these names are classical compounds or modern variants; pronunciations and spellings differ across regions and scripts. Some terms (for example, māyā as “illusion”) carry philosophical nuance — in some schools the word points to limitation, in others to divine creative power — so parents often pair the name with a clarifying middle name, family tradition or story. When in doubt, consult family elders or a trusted scholar in your tradition for the exact Sanskrit form and pronunciation you prefer.

Note: This list aims to be culturally respectful and to reflect a range of interpretive uses of māyā across Hindu and Buddhist contexts; it does not promote any single theological view.