Mayowa
Meaningbring joy · Yoruba
Mayowa is an African gender-neutral name meaning “bring joy”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well.
Did you know?
- Scrabble scoreIf names were allowed in Scrabble, Mayowa would score 14 points, thanks largely to the Y (worth 4).
- GenerationMayowa is having its moment right now. Most Mayowas are still in diapers or at preschool, so picture a Gen Alpha or Gen Beta kid.
- HistoryMayowa first shows up in US birth records in 2006, the first year at least 5 babies got it. That makes it a fairly new name, younger than many of today's parents.
US births per million boys, 2006–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mayowa
Mayowa is a gender-neutral name of African origin meaning “bring joy”. With 3 syllables it has a flowing, lyrical sound, so a short middle name balances it nicely. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name. It works for a boy or a girl, which suits parents who'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
Origin:African names
More African names
- Girl name: Layla · night
- Unisex name: Zuri · beautiful
- Girl name: Aisha · alive
- Unisex name: Cairo · the victorious
- Unisex name: Asa · healer
- Unisex name: Zaire · river
- Girl name: Amber · amber resin
- Girl name: Zahra · radiant, bright
Questions about the name Mayowa
What does the name Mayowa mean?
Mayowa means “bring joy” and comes from Yoruba. Names built around “joy” have been loved for generations, and give a child a meaning worth sharing when someone asks about their name. Other gender-neutral names with a similar meaning include Abigail (“my father is joy”), Winston (“joy stone”), Joy (“joy”) and Beatrice (“she who brings joy”).
What is the origin of the name Mayowa?
Mayowa is African in origin, and its meaning traces back to Yoruba. Other African names to consider are Layla (“night”), Zuri (“beautiful”), Aisha (“alive”) and Cairo (“the victorious”).
Is Mayowa a boy or girl name?
Both. Mayowa is a true gender-neutral name used for boys and girls. That balance makes it a good pick if you'd like a name that doesn't signal gender.
How popular is the name Mayowa?
Mayowa is rare: fewer than 5 US boys got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2020. It peaked at #12,022 in 2020, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What names are similar to Mayowa?
If you like Mayowa, you might also like Abigail, Winston, Joy and Beatrice.
What should I know before naming my baby Mayowa?
Mayowa is an African gender-neutral name meaning “bring joy”, with Yoruba roots. Yoruba names often tell a story, such as the circumstances of a child's birth or a family's hopes. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds flowing and melodic, it's simple to spell and say, and it pairs well with a short middle name. It suits a boy or a girl equally well. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.