Yemaya
A girls’ name of Yoruba origin, meaning mother of the waters; orisha of the ocean.
Yemaya by the numbers
In 2025, 4 babies in England and Wales were named Yemaya. In the US, 21 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its best year in America so far is the most recent one on record, which means it was still climbing when the records end.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Yemaya. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
Other names that mean the sea
Like Yemaya, each of these has the sea in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Dylanson of the sea10,158 in the US (2017)
- Kaisea672 in England and Wales (2025)
- Mariaof the sea; a form of Mary522 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marystar of the sea; beloved2,381 in the US (2017)
- Morgansea-born; great and bright2,273 in the US (2017)
- Mariahof the sea; a form of Maria1,604 in the US (2017)
Other names that mean water
Like Yemaya, each of these has water in its meaning. Different names, different histories, the same idea.
- Mayaillusion; mother; water1,259 in England and Wales (2025)
- Riverflowing water; nature name3,114 in the US (2017)
- Brookesmall stream1,616 in the US (2017)
- Taliagod's dew; form of Thalia or Natalia260 in England and Wales (2025)
- Kendraclear water; from a place name734 in the US (2017)
- Rosemarydew of the sea; the herb rosemary687 in the US (2017)
Names about as common as Yemaya
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