Find out how popular the first name Maike has been for the last 39 years (from 1986 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Maike by gender

Based on the last 39 years of data, Maike is a unisex name, with an equal number of males and females sharing this name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Maike.

The history of the first name Maike

The given name Maike is of German origin and is a diminutive form of the name Maria. It is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages, around the 12th or 13th century, as a pet name derived from the more formal name Maria.

The name Maria itself comes from the ancient Hebrew name Miryam, which is derived from the Hebrew word "mar" meaning "bitter" or "beloved." The name was popularized by the Christian tradition due to its association with the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

While there are no known historical references to the name Maike in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it has been used as a given name for centuries in German-speaking regions.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Maike was Maike de Smet, a Flemish painter who lived in the 16th century, born in 1550. Her paintings were highly regarded during her time, and she was known for her portraits and religious works.

Another notable figure was Maike Smit, a Dutch artist and engraver who lived in the 17th century, born in 1620. She was renowned for her intricate etchings and engravings, which depicted various scenes from daily life and nature.

In the 19th century, Maike Melle was a German writer and poet who was born in 1825. She wrote several collections of poetry and short stories, many of which explored themes of love, nature, and the human experience.

In the 20th century, Maike Kohl-Richter was a German politician who served as a member of the Bundestag (the German parliament) from 1987 to 2009. She was born in 1944 and was known for her advocacy for women's rights and environmental protection.

Another notable figure is Maike van der Duin, a Dutch swimmer who competed in the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. She was born in 1991 and won multiple medals in various swimming events, including the bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Maike was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Maike, please contact us.

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