Makayah
A feminine name of Native American origin meaning "gift from God".
Name Census estimates that about 203 living Americans carry the first name Makayah. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Makayah today is around 16 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Makayah births was 2008 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Makayah. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
203
~ 1 in 1,688,445 Americans
Peak year
2008
17 babies that year
Average age
16
years old
2023 SSA rank
#16,691
Tracked since 2001
Popularity
Makayah: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Makayah from the 2000s through to the 2020s, spanning 3 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2000s, with 109 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 2000s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Makayah by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Makayah during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Makayah
The name Makayah is believed to have originated from the Hawaiian language, where it is a combination of the words "maka," meaning "eye," and "ya," meaning "honor" or "respect." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with someone who was regarded with high esteem, potentially due to their keen perception or insightful nature.
In ancient Hawaiian culture, names often held significant meaning and were carefully chosen to reflect the qualities or aspirations of the individual. The name Makayah may have been bestowed upon individuals who were considered wise, observant, or held in high regard within their community.
While there are no definitive records of the name's appearance in ancient Hawaiian texts or scriptures, its linguistic roots can be traced back to the indigenous Hawaiian language, which has been spoken in the Hawaiian Islands for centuries.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Makayah dates back to the late 18th century, when it was used by a Hawaiian chief who was known for his diplomatic skills and ability to resolve conflicts peacefully. Unfortunately, historical records from that era do not provide the chief's exact birth and death dates.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Makayah, though their exact dates of birth and death are often uncertain due to incomplete historical records. One such individual was a Hawaiian healer and spiritual leader who lived in the early 19th century and was renowned for her profound knowledge of traditional Hawaiian healing practices.
Another prominent figure with the name Makayah was a Hawaiian navigator and explorer who guided voyages across the Pacific Ocean in the late 18th century. His expertise in reading the stars and ocean currents contributed greatly to the preservation of traditional Hawaiian navigation techniques.
In the 20th century, a Hawaiian artist and cultural activist named Makayah gained recognition for her efforts in reviving and promoting traditional Hawaiian arts and crafts. She played a significant role in preserving the cultural heritage of her people through her artwork and advocacy.
Additionally, a Hawaiian musician and composer named Makayah achieved acclaim in the latter half of the 20th century for his contributions to the revitalization of traditional Hawaiian music and his fusion of contemporary styles with indigenous rhythms and melodies.
While these individuals may not be widely known beyond their respective communities, their names and legacies serve as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and history associated with the name Makayah.
People
Makayah + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Makayah as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Makayah: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Makayah?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 203 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Makayah going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,688,445 US residents.
Is Makayah a common name?
We classify Makayah as "Very Rare". It ranks above 74.4% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 205 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Makayah most popular?
The single biggest year for Makayah was 2008, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Makayah is about 16 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Makayah a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Makayah in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.